The contract was inked by Director General of the Fisheries Administration Poum Sotha and IRD chief executive officer Valérie Verdier.

 

French ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet and Hean Vanhan and the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries witnessed the signing ceremony held at the French Embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

 

The IRD is a multidisciplinary French public research organisation and a player on the international development agenda. Its model is original and based on an equitable scientific partnership with developing countries.

 

 

“The IRD has been working for a long time on the issue of agriculture which represents a considerable economic stake for Cambodia and also for the region,” Verdier said.

 

 

She noted that the expertise provided to the Cambodian Fisheries Administration and the joint action programme aims to respond to major local issues such as food security and the sustainability of aquaculture production systems.

 

 

Verdier is visiting Cambodia on her first trip to Asia since her appointment as CEO of IRD to strengthen partnerships between the French public research institution and Cambodian institutional, academic, scientific and economic actors to address major regional issues, such as the impacts of climate change as well as the health and food security of populations, particularly with the “One Health” approach.

 

As part of the CaPFish Aquaculture project funded by delegated funds from the European Union to the French Agency for Development (AFD), this $4.2 million contract will help the development of fish hatcheries in local fish farms and research on ecological intensification.

 

The expertise provided to the Cambodian Fisheries Administration and the joint action programme aims at responding to major local issues such as food security and the sustainability of aquaculture production systems.

 

 

While the Cambodian population relies on fish and fishery products to provide them with 73% of their animal protein intake, aquaculture represents a growing opportunity for improved food security and better nutrition.

 

The overall objective of the CaPFish Aquaculture project is thus to contribute to food security and socioeconomic development in Cambodia, by ensuring a more sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive growth of the aquaculture sector. The project aims at scaling up successful aquaculture experiences, developing and diffusing sustainable and efficient practices.

 

 

IRD’s research priorities are in line with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, with the ambition to support development policies and the design of solutions adapted to the local challenges faced by populations in the South.

 

The IRD conducts partnership research for sustainable solutions adapted to the environmental, economic, social and cultural challenges faced by populations and the planet. The Institute places great importance on cross-cutting and inclusive approaches to ensure a sustainability science.

Author / Source: Ben Sokhean / Khmer Times

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