News

End of an era - but not goodbye

Almost twenty years of Australian support for agricultural research in Cambodia culminated with the completion of the CARDI Assistance Project (CARDI-AP), which has been funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Australian commitment to agriculture in Cambodia began in 1987 when a group of international scientists commenced work with their Cambodian colleagues with the urgent priority of raising basic household food production after years of war and political unrest.  Their success was such that Cambodia achieved rice self-sufficiency in 1995.

The program also prioritized the re-establishment of national agricultural research, and led to the creation of the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in 1999.  The Australian Government funded post-graduate studies for Cambodian agricultural scientists in Australia, and this added significantly to the scientific development and capabilities of CARDI. The departure of the international scientists in 2001 left behind an excellent group of agricultural scientists who had limited experience in managing a modern research institution. The CARDI Assistance Project was designed to remedy this situation, and has achieved excellent results.

The Director of CARDI, Dr Men Sarom, who undertook post-graduate studies in Western Australia, has been with the Institute since its inception.  “Working closely with the CARDI staff, CARDI-AP has helped us to become an organisation that is responsive to national research needs, more skilled in delivering its research results to extension workers and farmers and more pro-active in seeking funds from international donors,” Dr Sarom said. “The legacy of CARDI-AP will see CARDI enhance its reputation as the pre-eminent crop research institute in Cambodia.”

The views expressed by Dr Sarom were endorsed by independent project reviewer Dr John Stevens who described the project as very forward thinking and praised the level of excellence that has been achieved under the project, and promoted locally, regionally and internationally. “Without a doubt, CARDI has, with the assistance of CARDI- AP, made a quantum leap into the emerging market economy of Cambodia.  There is no turning back!” Dr Stevens stated.

The success of the project was celebrated at a ceremony at CARDI in August which was attended by distinguished guests including the Minister for Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries H E Chan Sarun and the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia H E Lisa Filipetto.  The CARDI-AP Australian project staff, Mr Grahame Hunter (Project Director), Dr Kep Coughlan (Team Leader) and Mr Mike Clarke (Business Development Advisor), were presented with Friendship Medals, authorized by the Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Hun Sen. To reciprocate their appreciation, the Australian project team presented CARDI with a painting depicting a typical Australian landscape.

The completion of the CARDI Assistance Project does not mean the end of Australian support for Cambodian agriculture. AusAID is currently reviewing its funding options, but future plans will certainly place some emphasis on improving the cash income of rice growers.

Dr Kep Coughlan,

Email:  kepcoughlan@optusnet.com.au