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National Seminars on Food Security > 2003
2003 National Seminar on Food Security and Nutrition
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The second National Seminar on Food Security and Nutrition in Cambodia,
organised by the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development and the World
Food Programme, was held 3-4 June 2003. The Seminar was attended by more than
200 representatives of a wide range of institutions, including the Prime
Minister and Council of Ministers, government ministries and agencies at
national and provincial level, provincial governors, UN agencies, international
and national NGOs, development banks and donor agencies, and relevant tertiary
educational institutions. The objectives of the Seminar were as follows:
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To review the current situation of food security and nutrition in Cambodia.
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To discuss the key directions and approaches to improve food security and
reduce malnutrition among women and children.
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To discuss the coordination, partnership and task distribution of all partners
(Government, international organisations, NGOs, the private sector, and civil
society.
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To pass a Resolution making recommendations for further measures to address
food security and nutrition issues in Cambodia.
The second National Seminar divided into groups to discuss a range of issues
related to food security and nutrition, such as land, health and nutrition,
education, agriculture, rural development, irrigation and gender issues. At the
end of the Seminar, a Resolution was passed by participants making a number of
recommendations relating to the above issues.
The Resolution of the National Seminar made six key recommendations:
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Promote good governance to encourage the production and distribution of food,
focusing on provinces, districts and communes where there is surplus rice in
order to ensure appropriate and timely sale and distribution to provinces,
districts and communes where there is a rice deficit.
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Conduct regular studies to identify drought zones, and put in place mechanisms
for appropriate and sustainable solutions, mainly focusing on the provision and
distribution of rice seeds, strengthening of irrigation systems, and provision
of pumps, pesticides and other agricultural materials to farmers.
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Develop mechanisms for encouraging household vegetable gardening, crop
diversification and animal raising, including animals for farming and sale to
earn additional income.
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Utilise effectively the Cambodia Nutrition Investment Plan by earmarking small
projects to seek support from national and international partners.
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Improve the education system, and promote rural awareness of the importance of
food security and nutrition related to livelihoods and welfare of people at the
community level through the commune councils.
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Focus not only on the rehabilitation and construction of large-scale irrigation
systems, but also on all types of small-scale irrigation systems for
communities and families by requesting support from national and international
organisations, especially World Food Programme.
These and the other recommendations of the Resolution were subsequently
endorsed by the Government and included in
Circular 03 S.R. on Food Security and Nutrition in Cambodia, dated 20
October 2003, which was disseminated throughout the country for implementation.
| 1999 Seminar | 2003 Seminar |