Cambodia's 'Empower' Project Holds Progress Meeting in Phnom Srok District, Focusing on Improving Livelihoods and Resilience

A meeting to review the progress and set future work directions for the 'Empower' project was held in Phnom Srok district, Banteay Meanchey province. This project aims to enhance the economic efficiency of residents, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen resilience. Led by Mr. San Voun, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the meeting on September 17, 2026, was attended by Ms. Preng Savong, Deputy Governor of Phnom Srok district, along with officials from the Bureau of Agronomy and Agricultural Productivity, district agricultural officers, and commune agricultural officers, totaling 11 participants, including 3 women. Discussions focused on monitoring the progress of project implementation, identifying challenges, and preparing future work plans to ensure project activities effectively meet the actual needs of local residents. Mr. San Voun stated that project implementation should not merely focus on providing short-term aid or activities but should prioritize enhancing the capacity of residents, especially farmers, to increase productivity, improve economic efficiency, and build the ability to cope with various potential risks to their livelihoods. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between technical officials, local authorities, commune chiefs, village chiefs, and residents, noting that disseminating information on work progress and evaluation results through commune and village chiefs is crucial for ensuring residents receive clear information and understand the benefits and direction of the project. Ms. Preng Savong, Deputy Governor of Phnom Srok district, expressed gratitude to the government for its attention to improving the livelihoods of the people and promoting local development through the support and implementation of projects aimed at reducing vulnerability and strengthening resilience. She considered the Empower project as a component that can support the enhancement of residents' capacity, particularly those dependent on agriculture and rural livelihoods. She also encouraged technical officials and local authorities to continue close cooperation to achieve the project's set goals. Through this meeting, participants also discussed the selection of model farmers in each village to support the ongoing implementation of project activities. The focus of establishing these model farmers is to strengthen the dissemination of knowledge, experience, and information related to project activity implementation at the community level. The meeting highlighted that the successful implementation of the Empower project requires the participation of all parties, not just technical officials. From planning and implementation to progress monitoring and dissemination of results, cooperation between authorities, technical officials, community leaders, and farmers is a vital element to ensure activities respond to actual needs. The progress meeting of the Empower project in Phnom Srok district, Banteay Meanchey province, served not only as a platform to report on past work but also as an opportunity to set new work directions, strengthen coordination, and increase local participation. The focus on improving livelihoods, reducing vulnerability, and enhancing resilience has been established as a key point in planning the project's ongoing implementation in the locality. By: Chun Sarat © National News Agency of Cambodia 2018