In Cambodia, fish is an important diet staple, accounting for 61% of households’ animal protein intake and the second most consumed food after rice. Average fish consumption is 63kg/person/year.

In 2014, the country’s total fish production was 745 065 metric tons, of which aquaculture contributed one-sixth (120 055 metric tons) and was valued at USD 240 million (FAO).

Freshwater fisheries are an integral part of the country’s culture, economy, and food security, and are vital source of food for rural people (FAO). Overall, the fisheries sector provides employment to 2 million people, of which 10,000 people work in the marine fishery sector.

WorldFish in Cambodia

WorldFish works with the Cambodian Government and development partners to support increased productivity and investment in the agriculture and fisheries sectors in Cambodia. Research focuses on how best to improve productivity and resilience of wild fisheries in human modified environments such as rice fields and reservoirs, role of fish in nutrition security of women and children, and benefit-sharing in land and water management.

Current Priorities / Initiatives

  • Enhancing the productivity of rice field fisheries through protection of dry season habitats for fish
  • Participatory action research in inland small-scale fisheries co-management and wetlands conservation
  • Low input, cost effective, and nutrition sensitive small -scale and medium enterprise models for aquaculture production and business enterprise models
  • Climate Smart Agriculture technologies and practices

Anticipated impacts by 2022

  • 0.19M producer households adopt improved breeds, aquafeeds, fish health and aquaculture and fisheries management practices
  • 0.18M people, of which at least 50% are women, are assisted to exit poverty through livelihood improvements related to fisheries and aquaculture value chains
  • 0.08M people, of which 50% are women, are without deficiencies of one or more of the following essential micronutrients: iron, zinc, iodine, vitamin A, folate and B12
  • 0.13M more women of reproductive age are consuming an adequate number of food groups
  • 0.37M hectares of ecosystems restored through more productive and equitable management of SSF resources and restoration of degraded wetland environments

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