<p>A fund has been initiated under the ASEAN-German Cooperation Project, “ASEAN AgriTrade”. It was implemented in collaboration with public partners, relevant private associations and GIZ and is working in cooperation with the German organisation’s Agrinnovation Fund in ASEAN, which seeks innovative farming practices.</p> <p><br /> <br /> The initiative is currently accepting applications to promote value chains in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV).</p> <p>ASEAN AgriTrade works with departments in the CLMV bloc, with the General Directorate of Agriculture serving as its Cambodian implementing partner.</p> <p>The agricultural sector is the backbone for CLMV countries. The Kingdom’s most recent census found that 73 percent of citizens earn their living through the sector.</p> <p>The agriculture sector grew by 0.5 percent last year, while the industrial and services sectors retracted by 1.2 and 6.7 percent respectively.</p> <p>“Agriculture is an important sector for Cambodia even during non-pandemic times. Currently we are seeing migrant workers returning to their homes and factories closing. People need to earn a living and there is continued potential in the industry, which is why we have decided to focus on this area,” said Frank Jattke, GIZ’s team leader for ASEAN.</p> <p><br /> <br /> The initiative requires the private sector to propose projects and fund half of the associated costs themselves, with the remainder coming through the programme, said Sin Sokhomony, ASEAN AgriTrade technical adviser.</p> <p>He added that approved projects will receive up to approximately $24,000 per project, while exceptional ventures may receive up to about $35,000.</p> <p>Sokhomony stressed that while priority crops for Cambodia are chillis, mangoes and cashew nuts, other commodities may also benefit from the programme.</p> <p>“In Cambodia, we can allocate between three and five projects and those can last up until the end of 2022,” he added.</p> <p>The project is currently accepting proposals from small-hold producers, processors and exporters, retailers and input service providers.</p> <p>Proposals must outline how they are innovative, implement digital solutions, improve market access and bolster cooperation along the value chain.</p> <p>Four additional criteria must be included in proposals: potential for impact, innovation, inclusiveness and scalability.</p> <p>Priority crops in Laos are watermelon and banana, while emphasis will also be given to coffee, chillis, pomelos and mushrooms from Myanmar. Focus is also to be placed on lychees from the Son La and Gac Giang provinces in Vietnam.</p> <p>ASEAN AgriTrade has extended its deadline until April 4. Each project is slated to have a duration of 19 months.</p>