Cambodia: Tonle Sap Lowlands Rural Development Project

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural policy, institutional and capacity development - Agricultural production - Irrigation - Rural market infrastructure

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

Agriculture accounts for one third of Cambodia's gross domestic product (GDP) and is the main source of livelihood for nearly 80% of the population. Many of the people in the lowland rural communities that surround Tonle Sap depend on agriculture, but they are vulnerable to shocks. Accidents and ill health, seasonal shortages of rainfall (especially at the beginning of the rainy season), seasonal shortages of water (especially drinking water during the dry season), and food shortages resulting from shortfalls in the rice harvest (caused by an unreliable supply of water at the start and finish of both wet and dry rice crops) all increase the vulnerability of people in the lowlands.

Despite the richness of the lake, poverty rates in the basin are higher than in the country as a whole. Over 50% of households do not grow enough rice to meet their needs. Seasonal migration from lowland communities into the lake buffer zone, to supplement diets, risks overexploiting the lake and exacerbating existing pressures on its resources.

Irrigation is one of the 16 strategic priorities for national development, as a remedial measure to earlier developments which tend to be poorly designed or constructed on a scale that is difficult for communal maintenance. Many schemes now need urgent upgrading to support the needs of the communities. Furthermore, transport and water supply and sanitation infrastructure also require upgrading. Adoption of new agricultural practices and opportunities for off-farm employment in the lowlands are restricted by limited vocational education, poor financial services, and poor rural infrastructure.

The proposed Asian Development Fund (ADF) IX combined loan and grant will enable the Project to focus on community-driven development, linked with provincial level infrastructure investments and creation of new opportunities for on and off-farm employment to reduce poverty and vulnerability in one of the poorest regions of Cambodia.

Rural populations use improved infrastructure and services in selected communes to increase economic

activity and household income.

Project implementation was completed on 31 December 2015, overall physical progress was achieved at 100%. Cumulative contract awards were $9.79 million and $9.9 million, equivalent to 99.6% and 100% of the total loan and grant amounts. Cumulative disbursements were $9.73 million and $9.88 million, equivalent to 100% and 98.8% of the total loan and grant amounts, respectively. ADB approved for a winding up period from July to 31 August 2016 to allow additional time for EA to submit WA to ADB for direct payment of $14,296.90 to REDECAM Group.

An outstanding imprest balance of $104,875.81 under Loan 2376 has been arranged for refund back to ADB on 15 July 16 by the EA.

1. Rural infrastructure is improved

2. Rural livelihood options increased

3. Project implementation effectively managed

157 out of 161 small-scale subprojects have been completed in 40 targeted communes of three provinces. Construction progress for the remaining 4 sub-projects will be completed in November.

80 small businesses have been established.

31.3 km of main canals, 55.9 of secondary canals,

19.8 Km tertiary canal, and 393 structures small and large structures have been completed.

A total of 58 subprojects in three target provinces have been completed. The total irrigated areas rehabilitated by the project are 13,376 ha, which is 139% of the original target of 9,600 ha.

13 FWUGs have been established and another 9 are being established.

Construction works for 54 sub-projects to rehabilitate 205.91 km of roads have been completed, which is equivalent to 90% of the target of 230 km. Out of the 205.91 km, 84.7 km are road maintenance.

15 road maintenance committees have been established. Other 15 are being formed.

Selected farmers in 40 communes of three project provinces have been trained to microfinance through self help groups and saving groups. 2,326 beneficiaries utilized local saving-led credit system and 1984 beneficiaries utilized MFI.

Selected farmers in 40 communes have been sent to on-farm/off-farm trainings. 66% of the participants are women.

More than 30% women of participants have attended the trainings.

Over 200 project staff have been selected and trained

Late submissions of the inception and quarterly reports were observed in 2010, but the EA improved its submissions in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Lengthy start-up delay due to complex project design. However, there is no problem for the Project to be completed on time.