SEED FUNDING JOINT PROGRAMMES

Cambodia

Transforming Cambodia’s food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient

SDG 2 Zero Hunger Logo

PROJECT TITLE

Transforming Cambodia’s food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient

ContextCambodia’s National Pathway is the outcome of an extensive consultation process, involving more than 2,000 people throughout thirty dialogues, which identifies four priority areas, namely healthy diets for all, empowerment of youth, women and vulnerable groups, resilient livelihoods and food systems, inclusive governance. Acknowledging the risks posed by climate change to hard won development gains and as a co-founder of the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation, Cambodia is prioritizing the integration of climate change and food systems transformation, building coherence across the agendas. The Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, the government agency coordinating food security and nutrition initiatives in Cambodia, is leading collaborative efforts to translate national aspirations into concrete action.
PUNOsFAO, WFP, UNICEF
Contribution to SDGsSDG 2 Zero Hunger
Contribution to other SDG transitionsClimate, biodiversity, pollution
DurationAugust 2024 – July 2025
Expected financial leverage$3 million
Alignment with SG Call to ActionPolicy integration; Food systems governance; Inclusive and participatory design; Private sector engagement
OutcomesThe Joint Programme fosters an enabling environment for food systems transformation by enhancing national capacities and policy frameworks, identifying opportunities to unlock financial streams, and strengthening advocacy efforts for food systems transformation. The JP provides crucial support to the alignment of the climate and food agendas, accelerating progress towards resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems.
Partners

Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) will be the main government counterpart and will coordinate the government activities in conjunction with other key Ministries, including:

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
  • Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment
  • Ministry of Economy and Finance
  • Ministry of Commerce
  • Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation
  • Ministry of Rural Development
  • Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport
  • Ministry of Women’s Affairs
Outputs
  • Update the Food Systems Roadmap (National Pathway) to identify key transformative areas in different sub-sectors and strengthen its alignment to climate policy frameworks.
  • Develop an action plan and a financing strategy for the Roadmap. 
  • Carry out a costing exercise for the Roadmap, complementing the ongoing formulation of the 3rd National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition (2024-2028).
  • Facilitate inclusive multi-stakeholder consultations with line ministries, local actors, private sector, youth and women groups.
  • Design and implement advocacy and communication strategies and tools to raise awareness among decision-makers and mobilize resources from the government, development partners, IFIs, and the private sectors.

National pathway operationalization Policy coherence Inclusive dialogues Advocacy Unlocking finance Food-climate convergence

New open-access book explores the role of regenerative farming and sustainable diets

11/09/2024

The open-access publication, Regenerative Farming and Sustainable Diets: Human, Animal, and Planetary Health, offers a comprehensive exploration of how regenerative agriculture and dietary shifts are essential to tackling the pressing challenges facing global food systems. This e-book refers to the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 as a groundbreaking event that brought together those working on the front line of new and regenerative solutions and achieved a crucial change in the global narrative: away from business as usual.

A notable contribution comes from Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, alongside Rathana Peou Norbert Munns, Policy Expert at FAO. Their chapter, Accelerating the SDGs: The Opportunity of Agrifood Systems Transformation, applies concepts from classical physics—momentum, inertia, and friction—to explain why sustainable development has been difficult to achieve.

They call for shifting away from traditional economic growth metrics towards a more holistic perspective, prioritizing sustainability and equitable resource distribution. Overall, the chapter argues for collaborative efforts and innovative policies to navigate obstacles and foster resilient, inclusive agrifood systems that can effectively support achieving the SDGs.

This timely e-book not only underscores the urgent need to transform food systems but also provides practical and actionable solutions. According to Jane Goodall, it is a must-read for those focused on creating sustainable systems that will feed us for generations to come.

More information on the book can be accessed here