Dialogue on Agriculture Cooperative in Cambodia

NATIONAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT DIALOGUE ON AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATIVE IN CAMBODIA Preah Sihanouk, Farmer and Nature Net (FNN) held a 2 days and a half dialogue known as “NATIONAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT DIALOGUE ON AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE IN CAMBODIA” from 15-17 February, 2011 in Kampong Sila district, and funded by Canadian Co-operatives Association. There were 90 participants (17 women) whom includes16 cooperatives from Kampong Speu province, Kampong Chhnang, Takeo, Kampot, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Battambang and Pursat province. Dr. Yang Sang Koma (CEDAC president and FNN advisor), Mr. Uon Sophal (FNN president), Mr. Pan Sophaep (FNN executive director), Mr. PEL Sokha (FNN advisor) Mr. Chhong Sophal (CEDAC cooperative coordinator), Mr. Tath Sok (SOSOR coordinator) and FNN staff were there. Mr. Pan Sopheap Mr. Sean Butha (FNN staffs), and Mr. Chhong Sophal were facilitators. The workshop aimed to improve the capacity of all communities in checking (controlling) and making balance all activities in their communities which consists of regular closing entry, income statement (expense and income), capital, number of members, number of shares and stakeholders, asset in community, to promote, to sharpen and to strengthen the knowledge of farmer leader on management and leadership for implementing in their community and to egg farmers to produce more and more rice following the government policy stating that “Exporting rice 1 million tones by 2015”. Speaking at the workshop, Mr. PEL Sokha explained about how important of the establishment of agricultural community (cooperative) is. He says cooperative is the process of improving the standard of living, increase income and empowerment. The cooperatives will provide a lot of benefits to farmer members. They can commonly set the selling price of their farm products (at high and the same level), and access to loan from both government and NGOs easily. In the second day of the workshop, he presented about the agricultural policies