Youth Nutrition Champions (from the left) Ms. Socheata Leng, Ms. Kimleang Heang, Ms. Phuryma Diep, Ms. Chan Mary Mam and Ms. Bormey Chhun.

 The National Institute of Statistics (NIS) of the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) released the Cambodia Inter-censal Agricultural Survey (CIAS) 2019 report earlier this year. At the launch event, Ms Emily Hogue, Manager of the Data Use component of the 50x2030 Initiative to Close the Agricultural Data Gap, announced that grants will be available in Cambodia for novel research that employs data generated by the CIAS 2019 with support from 50x2030.

50x2030 is a global partnership between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank, with IFAD leading the work on data use. The Initiative aims to support 50 low- and lower-middle income countries to develop survey programmes that produce foundational agricultural and rural statistics for decision making. In July 2020, Cambodia became the first country in the world ready to develop its 50x2030 implementation plan, with all partners working closely with NIS and the MAFF to conduct the integrated 50x2030 agriculture survey in mid-2021.

IFAD is sponsoring the grant competition for research projects that use 50x2030 data - including the CIAS 2019 - to generate practical research that serves national policymaking, program (re)design, and/or investment decisions. Winning proposals will receive grants between US$1,000-$10,000 and be promoted in a virtual global conference in November 2021, and shared via global platforms.

Mr. Kaushik Barua, Country Director for Cambodia, IFAD, further described the motivation and commitment for investments in research in Cambodia: “In IFAD and across our country program, we are committed to evidence-based decision-making. Smallholder agriculture is facing increasing pressure and uncertainty due to climate change, market volatility, inadequate access to credit on reasonable terms and ‘black swan’ events such as the pandemic. It is critical that we build on in-depth, real-time and comprehensive data to develop timely and relevant solutions to these problems. With these research grants, we hope Cambodian researchers, students and academics can contribute to these efforts and help achieve the objectives for the agriculture sector under Cambodia’s Vision 2030.”

Her Excellency Hang Lina, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia in-charge of the Director General of the National Institute of Statistics, encourages interested researchers from government and non-government organizations to lodge high quality research applications under the scheme. According to HE Hang Lina, ‘the real test of the usefulness of the survey work lies in the resulting interest in the analysis of the data, the information products generated and the contribution to evidence-based policy and decision making. The Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to supporting the modernization of the agricultural sector, promoting diversification and profitability and livelihoods. Achieving these aims depends on reliable and timely information to support decision-making, both for the public and the private sector. Focused research that uses data generated by the surveys is vital for accelerating development and achieving the Cambodia SDGs.’

Helen Keller International (HKI) is one of the first organizations to express interest in applying for the grants. HKI is well known in Cambodia, with a long history of working with smallholder farmers, promoting fish on farms and working tirelessly to fight malnutrition and food insecurity. In recent years, HKI has led the way for youth engagement in strengthening food systems for healthy diets, working in strong partnerships with the SUN Movement, both in Cambodia and globally, and especially the Civil Society Alliance in Cambodia.

Ms. Bormey Chhun, a young staff member of HKI, has established and is leading an enthusiastic group of Youth Nutrition Champions, working hard to engage youth in food systems. Bormey, along with the staff at Helen Keller International and the Youth Nutrition Champions - including three young women, Ms. Phuryma Diep, Ms. Sokmean Ngoun and Ms. Leng Socheata - propose to submit a grant application to investigate the relationships between the diversity of agricultural production in selected areas and the levels of diversity in household food consumption and women’s diets. They plan to target their research on project sites in Preah Vihear and Ratanakiri Provinces, where malnutrition is an ongoing problem, especially amongst poor rural families. The analysis will be used to guide project activities and for evidence to support food-based approaches to fighting malnutrition.

Mr Iean Russell, Policy Officer for the FAO-EU FIRST Programme sees the 50x2030 Initiative as providing valuable opportunities for furthering the careers of women in the field of agricultural research and development. He considers this very relevant for Cambodia, where there is great scope for increased representation of qualified women researchers in agriculture and related fields. Interested researchers can find full details at www.50x2030.org including the Call for Proposals,  Application Form and Data Guidebook.

Applicants are encouraged to consult the links provided to ensure that their application will fit the selection criteria for the grants. For further advice, applicants can contact Mr Iean Russell of FAO Cambodia by email [email protected].