Strengthening Cambodia’s Sustainable Rice Sector: The BRIC Agreement Signed

Signing of the BRIC Implementation Agreement Strengthens Cooperation for Sustainable Rice Systems in Cambodia — © GIZ/Channa Yeauv

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH have officially signed the Implementation Agreement for the Better Rice Initiative Cambodia (BRIC) project. The signing ceremony, hosted at the CARD headquarters, marks a critical milestone in launching the project's activities.

This agreement solidifies the partnership between the Royal Government of Cambodia and Germany in advancing sustainable, climate-resilient, and circular agricultural development. Under this framework, the partners will collaborate closely to promote innovative solutions that improve resource efficiency, strengthen rural livelihoods, and transition towards resilient food systems.

Key Focus Areas of the BRIC Project

The BRIC project targets improvements across the entire rice value chain. By connecting public institutions, the private sector, research organisations, and farming communities, the project aims to:

Reduce agricultural waste and promote circular economy principles.
Improve resource use efficiency in sustainable rice production.
Create new economic opportunities for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.
Contribute to Cambodia’s climate change mitigation and green growth objectives.

A Shared Vision for Agricultural Transformation

During the ceremony, representatives from CARD, MAFF, and GIZ emphasised the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in driving Cambodia's agricultural transformation. The event brought together key stakeholders to reaffirm a joint vision: building a highly sustainable, competitive agricultural sector that benefits local communities and businesses alike.

This implementation agreement provides a solid foundation for coordinated project execution over the coming years, marking another successful chapter in the long-standing Cambodian-German partnership for sustainable development.

About the Project

The Better Rice Initiative Cambodia (BRIC) is implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).