Press Release • Phnom Penh, Cambodia • 23 July 2026 • 2,5-minute read
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia (MAFF) and AgriGRADE have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the professional development and modernization of agricultural cooperatives across the nation. The implementation of a digital public infrastructure will drive returns on agricultural investments, unlock commercial financing for farmers, and secure reliable supply chains to fuel the growth of Cambodian agribusinesses.
The agreement underscores a shared commitment to building a structured, scalable, data-driven support system that elevates smallholder farmers and strengthens agricultural value chains. The MoU serves as a strategic roadmap to align public policies with targeted technical assistance, enhanced access to climate-smart finance, and sustainable marketplace opportunities.
Promotion of Modern Agricultural Cooperatives in Cambodia
Under the leadership of the Cambodian government, the Ministry has prioritized stable agricultural pricing, the deployment of over 1,600 communal agricultural officers, and the widespread promotion of Modern Agricultural Cooperatives (MACs). This partnership acts as a vital link from grassroots farming communities to provincial and national line departments, ensuring that localized agricultural challenges receive timely, data-backed interventions.
By combining our Ministry’s leadership with AgriGRADE’s expertise and data-driven tools, we can move from the grassroots level upward to ensure efficient, time-sensitive support on the ground
~ H.E. Sar Chetra, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
“Our priority policy programs focus heavily on improving farmer income, strengthening the value chain, and increasing overall competitiveness,” stated H.E. Sar Chetra, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
“This signed MoU is highly important because AgriGRADE is a key partner in supporting our agricultural cooperatives. By combining our Ministry’s leadership with AgriGRADE’s expertise and data-driven tools, we can move from the grassroots level upward to ensure efficient, time-sensitive support on the ground.”
Support and Accelerate the Cambodian Government’s Policy
The objective of the collaboration is to complement and accelerate Cambodia’s priority policy program through strengthening the institutional ecosystem that supports Agricultural Cooperatives (ACs) and Modern Agricultural Communities.
Instead of working through separate and fragmented projects, the partnership promotes a coordinated, standardized approach that, in line with the government priorities, helps farmer organizations, agribusinesses, service providers, financial institutions, and development partners to work together more effectively. By enabling better system integration and secure data exchange, this infrastructure helps reduce operational silos, improve coordination and support faster, more informed decision-making across the agricultural value chain.
“AgriGRADE complements the Ministry’s initiatives by providing the approach and digital public infrastructure that helps different actors work together like a synchronized orchestra, transforming isolated noise into a symphony of systematic collaboration.”
~ Cees van Rij, Director of AgriGRADE
“If cooperatives remain separate and operate with fragmented data, tools, and reporting, the agricultural system becomes difficult to steer,” explained Cees van Rij, Director of AgriGRADE.
“The bigger question is how to connect the different pieces of the support system—capacity building, finance, markets, and data—more effectively. AgriGRADE complements the Ministry’s initiatives by providing the approach and the digital public infrastructure that helps different actors work together like a synchronized orchestra, transforming isolated noise into a symphony of systematic collaboration.”
A Stepwise, Data-Driven Roadmap
To effectively unleash the immense potential of cooperatives, it has become crucial to professionalize them in a systematic and structured manner and move away from fragmented projects.
AgriGRADE’s framework outlines a stepwise approach to the graduation of cooperatives to MACs and the overall value chain. By tracking cooperative performance transparently, the Ministry can more effectively direct public and private resources where they are most critically needed, avoiding duplication and maximizing the long-term economic return on investment for Cambodian farmers.
Looking Forward
Following the virtual signing ceremony, both parties expressed their commitment to translating the agreement into practical action. By combining local knowledge with international cooperative standards, the alliance aims to build an inclusive framework that serves as a foundation for economic growth throughout Cambodia’s agricultural sector.
About the Cambodia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is a government ministry of Cambodia responsible for developing and implementing policies related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural development. It oversees agricultural production, food security, natural resource management, and provides support to farmers and rural communities across Cambodia.