Agricultural Extension in Cambodia: An Assessment and Options for Reform

Cambodia’s agriculture sector remains the backbone of the country’s economy. Most of Cambodia’s people live in rural areas and rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. In recent decades, the government has taken several steps to reform the agriculture sector and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of its extension and advisory services. However, farmers and rural producers remain vulnerable to climatic shocks and weather-related disasters, market fluctuations, poor governance, conflict, and disease. Access to reliable, timely, and relevant information is key for building sustainable food systems to support poverty alleviation and hunger reduction. In Cambodia, after the Green Revolution in the 1980s, efforts were made to decrease the gap between small and large farm holders. However, the steps taken did not adequately support smallholder farmers. This paper evaluates the performance of the current extension and advisory system, identifies challenges faced, and analyzes constraints and opportunities for potential reforms. To evaluate Cambodia’s current extension and advisory services, we focus on contextual factors such as the policy environment, the capacity of service providers, and production systems. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for both policy makers and practitioners regarding the status of extension and advisory services in Cambodia. [IFPRI Discussion Paper 01706].