Phnom Penh, 08-09 March 2016: Water, capital and market for agriculture products discussed in 6th Annual National Farmer Forum, particularly female farmers’ voice their concerns, needs, and suggestions to relevant stakeholders on water, capital, and market for agriculture productions have been heard by approximately 320 participants (203 females) from a variety stakeholders including monks, government representatives such as MAFF, MoC, MRD, NGOs/CSOs, university institutes and private sector (Mong Reththy Group, Green Eagle, MFIs, Rural Development Bank) through opened-discussion with key relevant stakeholders and a joint statement from 100 woman farmer champions in the 6th National Farmer Forum. Moreover, the farmer recommendations through the statement have been handed to Minister of Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries.
The 6th National Farmer Forums on “Women Champion in Agriculture” has been asked to nominate delegates especially 100 women champion from the 25 provinces/capital (selected from sub-national women farmer forum) to come together in order to represent the views, sharing experiences, challenges, creative ideas to influence policy makers and development partners and increase public participation, to support small landholder farmers both male and female to ensure equal benefits.
The main recommendations for the government and national- as well as international organizations to support the female small landholder farmers include:
– Government: policy development and implementation related to the improvement of small landholder farmer’s livelihood including access to water, capital, and market.
– Private sector – micro finance: provide clear information to farmers regarding criteria’s of making loan with “farmer community” and with low interest rate.
– NGOs and Development Partners: continue to organize this farmer forum and provide more opportunities for farmers to dialogue and learn from relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, the outcomes from this forum will be sent to government agencies, civil society, national- and international NGOs, DPs, private sectors, and farmers to consider implementation and observation on major actions gained from the discussion, recommendation, and key notes from the ministerial level government officers.
