Cambodia trains commune agricultural officials on climate-resilient smart farming

Thirty-three commune agricultural officials from Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri provinces have completed a training program on "Climate-Resilient Smart Agriculture." This initiative aims to strengthen their capacity to disseminate modern agricultural techniques and knowledge to farmers and communities at the local level. The four-day training, organized by the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Mondulkiri, took place from September 22 to 25, 2026, at the meeting hall of the Provincial Department of Education, Youth, and Sports in Mondulkiri. It was supported by the "Mekong Rising" project and implemented in collaboration with partner organizations. During the opening ceremony, Mr. Song Khang, Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Mondulkiri, stated that the training's objective is to enhance the knowledge and skills of agricultural officials at the commune level to effectively promote agricultural techniques suitable for climate change adaptation. He explained that the training covered key topics such as understanding the impacts of climate change, efficient natural resource management, selecting appropriate crop varieties, conserving soil and water, and implementing agricultural practices that can reduce risks and increase productivity. Mr. Song Khang emphasized that commune agricultural officials are the core force in bringing new knowledge and techniques to farmers in villages and communes. This effort will help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production. He expressed his hope that through this training, commune agricultural officials will become effective disseminators of "Climate-Resilient Smart Agriculture" knowledge and techniques, sharing them widely with farmers and communities. This work will contribute to improving agricultural production, increasing income, and strengthening local food security. The Director also urged the trainees to diligently absorb knowledge from the instructors, apply it in practice, develop action plans, and continue disseminating it to communities, especially vulnerable groups, ethnic minorities, and women, to enhance community resilience to climate change. Meanwhile, Ms. Noun Makara, a representative from CARE Cambodia, mentioned that in addition to the "Climate-Resilient Smart Agriculture" theme, the trainees also received additional training on village savings associations, financial management, loss and damage, and nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters. She added that the training also focused on gender equality and social inclusion, promoting the participation of people with disabilities, youth, ethnic minorities, women, and vulnerable groups in building community resilience and sustainable agricultural development. Article by: Riem Sokheng