Cambodia – As part of the AJFVC initiative to enhance agricultural standards, a pilot activity under the AJFVC Output 1 project team successfully held a seminar aimed at promoting Cambodia’s Good Agricultural Practices (CamGAP) and the ASEAN GAP standards. The event took place in Phnom Penh and brought together 42 participants, including representatives from the Department of Plant Protection and Phytosanitary Measures (DPPSP), the General Department of Agriculture (GDA), JICA, as well as food business operators (FBOs), traders, supermarket representatives, and farmers.
The sessions covered the importance of food safety, CamGAP implementation, consumer demand, and practical marketing strategies, such as the use of social media, as well as newly developed promotional materials, including i-stands and banners featuring the CamGAP and ASEAN GAP logos. A panel discussion with CamGAP-certified farmers highlighted both the benefits of CamGAP, such as improved safety and trust and ongoing challenges, including price competition and market access.
Results from the seminar evaluation showed high levels of satisfaction among participants, with all respondents indicating a clear understanding of the importance of food safety and the benefits of CamGAP-certified products. Notably, 90% of respondents reported increased confidence in product safety after being informed that CamGAP aligns with ASEAN GAP standards in the food safety module.
Many participants also expressed their intention to expand the use of CamGAP-certified products and to utilize the newly developed promotional materials, demonstrating the seminar’s positive impact on enhancing the market for GAP-certified products.
