USA funds freshwater aquaculture project in Cambodia
The United States government has funded a $17.1 million dollar project in Cambodia that will help develop the country’s freshwater aquaculture industry.
Kansas State University, Auburn University located in Alabama and World Vision will work with the Cambodian government under the U.S. lead Connects Trade and Development (CAST) Program.
The five year funding plan will fast track technology transfers between the commercial and private aquaculture sector which will help increase market growth by supplying Cambodia and the world with “quality-assured fish with competitive prices,” said a news release posted on the U.S./Cambodia embassy website.
Goals
A key aspect of the project will strengthen local production of high-quality feed and fish. Furthermore, the CAST program goals include developing a National Aquaculture Association to help growers.
- Adding aquaculture feed and supply chains that are available to growers.
- Including private sector assistance for issues that are outside of the confines of the CAST program.
- Research and demonstration farms lead by local universities.
- Marketing campaigns.
- Access to finance and value chain vendors.
- Compliance of sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
High quality fish
“It will promote increased access to seed fish and feed, and will strengthen all links in the value chain, from hatcheries to fish producers and buyers and distributors. Cambodia will benefit from increased confidence and access to high-quality fish grown in Cambodia, produced and handled with proper standards. In addition, the national economy will benefit as Cambodia joins a global market as a consumer and supplier of locally raised, high-quality freshwater aquaculture products.”
The beneficiaries of the $17.1 million dollar funding will be divided among a variety of groups.
“Commercial freshwater fish producers, feed mills, hatcheries/nurseries, extension workers, wholesalers/retailers, financial institutions, students, and other small/medium-sized enterprises in the commercial aquaculture value chain.”
The funding will go to the Cambodia’s major markets including Phnom Penh which is the country’s capital.
Cambodia’s GDP increased more than 7% per year since 2011. Growing demand for animal and aquaculture-sourced protein suggests that CAST’s anticipated local economic impact exceeds $300 million over the life time of the project.
