Cambodhrra Cambodian Partnership for Development Human Resource in Rural Area Association
22 October 2026 | Hotel Cambodiana, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The Cambodian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas Association (CamboDHRRA), in collaboration with its members and development partners, successfully organised the Agricultural Cooperative Business Forum 2026 (ACBF2026) under the theme “From Production to Profitable Markets: Building Inclusive and Sustainable Agribusiness Value Chains.”
The forum was organised in partnership with DanChurchAid (DCA), World Renew, Development and Partnership in Action (DPA Cambodia), ALiSEA, Farmer and Nature Net (FNN), Lutheran Hope Cambodia Organization (LHCO), Mission Alliance, Uni4Coop, World Vision International Cambodia, Cooperation for Development of Cambodia (CoDeC), Agence Française de Développement (AFD Cambodia), World Hope International (WHI), Mlob Brigayet, Southeast Asia Development Program (SADP), Cambodian Agricultural Cooperative Alliance (CACA), Federation of Cambodian Farmers for Development (FCFD), Social Enterprise Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (SEUAC), and other partners.
The forum aimed to promote market-oriented agricultural cooperative development, strengthen business management capacities, facilitate market linkages, and expand partnerships among agricultural cooperatives, the private sector, financial institutions, government agencies, and development partners.
The event was presided over by Dr. Chay Chim, Director of the Department of Agro-Industry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). It brought together 202 participants, including 82 women, representing agricultural cooperative leaders, women’s networks, youth, Indigenous Peoples, farmer organisations, civil society organisations, private sector companies, financial institutions, government agencies, and development partners.
The forum provided a valuable platform for participants to exchange knowledge, share practical experiences and good practices, and explore actionable solutions to help agricultural cooperatives respond to market demands, increase the value of agricultural products, and improve incomes and livelihoods for their farmer members.
Key Highlights of ACBF2026
1. Strengthening Agricultural Cooperatives as Competitive, Market-Oriented Businesses
Discussions highlighted the importance of good governance, effective business management, collective production planning, market information, and strategic partnerships with buyers.
Agricultural cooperatives need to strengthen their institutional and business capacities to operate as well-managed and commercially viable enterprises. This includes improving financial management, understanding production costs and profit margins, and developing the competitiveness required to succeed in increasingly demanding markets.
2. Connecting Agricultural Cooperatives with Markets and Financial Institutions
The discussions emphasised the importance of expanding market opportunities for agricultural products by addressing key requirements such as product quality, standards, food safety, reliable supply, and access to investment capital.
Stronger linkages among agricultural cooperatives, buyers, and financial institutions are essential to helping cooperatives meet market requirements, secure appropriate financing, and expand their business operations.
3. Sharing Innovative Business Models and Practical Experiences
The forum offered agricultural cooperatives and partners an opportunity to showcase successful business approaches, emerging opportunities, and practical lessons, including:
• Vegetable production and marketing business models.
• Circular economy-based business practices.
These experiences demonstrated the importance of business diversification, value addition, efficient resource utilisation, and exploring new market opportunities to strengthen the resilience, profitability, and sustainability of agricultural cooperative businesses.
4. Strengthening Partnerships and Inclusive Agribusiness Value Chains
The forum encouraged dialogue and knowledge exchange among stakeholders across agricultural value chains to identify opportunities for collaboration in market development, financing, technical support, and value addition.
Particular emphasis was placed on the meaningful participation of women, youth, smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and other vulnerable groups. Their inclusion is essential to building equitable and sustainable agribusiness systems that generate shared benefits for all value chain actors.
5. Exploring Innovation and New Market Opportunities
Beyond the discussions and experience-sharing sessions, participants had the opportunity to explore agricultural product exhibition booths and participate in activities associated with the Cambodia Agrifood Exhibition and Forum 2026 (CAFE2026) on 23 October 2026.
These activities provided further opportunities to learn about emerging technologies, discover innovative solutions, establish business connections, and explore potential partnerships to advance agricultural and agribusiness development.
Key Messages from ACBF2026
The development of strong and sustainable agricultural cooperatives cannot rely solely on increasing agricultural production. It requires a comprehensive approach that connects production with market demand, effective business management, access to finance, quality assurance, value addition, and long-term partnerships.
As highlighted throughout the forum: “Producing more is not enough. Farmers and their cooperatives must produce what the market demands, sell at competitive and fair prices, and generate sustainable profits.”
CamboDHRRA remains committed to facilitating collaboration and strengthening partnerships among agricultural cooperatives, farmer organisations, the private sector, financial institutions, government agencies, and development partners. Through these efforts, CamboDHRRA aims to accelerate market-oriented agribusiness development, expand business opportunities, strengthen agricultural value chains, and improve the livelihoods of Cambodian farmers.
Appreciation and Acknowledgement
CamboDHRRA would like to express its sincere appreciation to the relevant ministries and government institutions, speakers, agricultural cooperatives, farmer organisations, development partners, private sector representatives, financial institutions, and all participants for their valuable contributions and active engagement.
Special thanks go to all supporting partners whose financial, technical, and institutional contributions made ACBF2026 a successful platform for dialogue, learning, networking, and partnership development.
Together, let us build stronger, more competitive, and sustainable agricultural cooperatives that connect farmers to profitable markets and create better livelihoods for rural communities in Cambodia.
