On 11-12 November 2024, the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) highlighted the achievements of the APFP-FO4A program at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Mekong+ Knowledge & Learning Fair (MKLF) 2024, held at the Angkor Paradise Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia. The event, themed “Enhancing Inclusive Climate Finance Services Towards Security and Prosperity,” brought together stakeholders from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines to share and learn from innovative solutions in climate finance. The MKLF event aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building among stakeholders involved in IFAD-funded projects within the Mekong+ region.
Two case studies from Cambodia showcasing innovative approaches to advancing inclusive climate finance services for farmers’ organizations were presented by Chhong Sophal and Sok Sotha, representing the Farmer and Nature Net Association (FNN) and the Cambodian Farmer Federation Association Agricultural Producers (CFAP) respectively.
Chham Khorn, president of the Farmer Water User Community Committee in Pursat Province, Cambodia, and a member of the Farmer and Water Net (FWN) participated in the plenary discussion on stakeholders’ perspectives, representing the voices and concerns of small-scale farmers. He was joined by representatives from the governments of Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines, who shared insights and updates on their respective initiatives, challenges, and contexts in addressing climate issues. The session was moderated by Jerry Pacturan, the Task Manager of the APFP-FO4A program.
During the two-day event, the AFA Interactive Knowledge and Learning Booth (IKLB) served as a hub for sharing knowledge materials and fostering learning exchanges between farmers and IFAD project secretariats.
Three photos from APFP-FO4A were selected as finalists in the MKLF Photo Contest. A photo from FNN Cambodia featuring woman farmer Mey Theing ultimately claimed the grand prize.
The MKLF delegates visited the Hong Eco-Farm in South Nikom District, Siem Reap, and the Sovatepheap Thoamacheat Agriculture Cooperative (STAC). These field visits offered an opportunity to engage with local farmers and observe the impact of IFAD-supported interventions in Cambodia.
Around 70 delegates participated in the MKLF 2024, including officials and secretariat from IFAD country offices in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, and IFAD headquarters in Rome. Farmers organizations, IFAD grant recipients, and farmers were also actively engaged.
The AFA/APFP-FO4A delegation included Irish Dominado, the Knowledge Management and Communication and Visibility Officer of the AFA Secretariat; Chhong Sophal, the program coordinator of APFP-FO4A in Cambodia; Chham Khorn, a farmer leader at FWN; Sok Sotha, Executive Director of CFAP; Prum Samat, Chairperson of CFAP and member of the Torng Thlork Agricultural Cooperative; Vann Ien, a melon farmer and member of CFAP; and Im Sovansaknita, a staff member of the Torng Thlork Agricultural Cooperative.
The MKLF started in 2018 in Danang, Vietnam, followed by the second event in Bangkok, Thailand in 2019.
Read the APFP-FO4A case studies that were presented during the event:
- Successful Partnership for Contracting Organic Rice with the Private Sector to Enhance Environmental and Climate Finance Services
- New Crops Enhance Smallholder Climate Change Resilience and Economic Stability
Read all the cases presented:
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