Scaling up bio-input pathways for rice production toward agroecology transition in Cambodia

Rice is vital to Cambodia's economy and food security, accounting for 16.7% of the country's GDP in 2024. However, the increasing reliance on chemical pesticides to meet export demands and boost yields has raised concerns about environmental, health, and sustainability issues. To shift toward sustainable agriculture, this policy brief advocates scaling up agricultural bio-inputs—such as biofertilizers and biopesticides. These inputs, once common in Cambodian farming, are now underutilized due to limited research and development (R&D) capacity, high costs, market fragmentation, and doubts about their effectiveness.

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Field Value
Type of ALiSEA product Policy Brief
Title Scaling up bio-input pathways for rice production toward agroecology transition in Cambodia
Description Rice is vital to Cambodia's economy and food security, accounting for 16.7% of the country's GDP in 2024. However, the increasing reliance on chemical pesticides to meet export demands and boost yields has raised concerns about environmental, health, and sustainability issues. To shift toward sustainable agriculture, this policy brief advocates scaling up agricultural bio-inputs—such as biofertilizers and biopesticides. These inputs, once common in Cambodian farming, are now underutilized due to limited research and development (R&D) capacity, high costs, market fragmentation, and doubts about their effectiveness.
Agroecology Category
  • Input reduction and recycling
  • Soil health
  • Economy and income
  • Sustainable food system
  • Biodiversity
Agroecology Keyword
  • Bio-fertilizer
  • Bio-pesticide
Contributing organisations GRET ECOLAND ASSEt ALISEA
Author
Year 2025
Type of document Policy guidance
Language English
Country Cambodia
Administrative Level 1
Administrative Level 2
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