On May 2, a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Agriculture Minister Dith Tina and his telecoms counterpart, Chea Vandeth. The MoU focuses on integrating the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries with the document verification platform verify.gov.kh, marking a significant step towards modernizing the agricultural sector in Cambodia.
The signing ceremony was attended by around 250 leaders and officials from both ministries. According to Dith Tina, this integration will streamline the documentation process by using a standard code, making it quick and efficient. The MoU also entails the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications providing high-speed internet connections to all agriculture ministry offices to boost efficiency further.
Tina emphasized that the MoU is the first step in a series of measures aimed at modernizing the agriculture ministry. A crucial component will be the introduction of QR Codes for document verification, ensuring the prevention of fraudulent document usage. As more Cambodians gain access to modern technology, Tina highlighted the importance of farmers utilizing information on contemporary techniques.
The agriculture ministry plans to digitize the sector by creating a digital network connecting farmers, wholesalers, and exporters, ultimately simplifying the process of bringing goods to market. This digital system will enable farmers to access real-time information on market demands and product requirements.
Cambodia follows Singapore as the second ASEAN country to implement a document verification system using blockchain technology for QR code generation. Vandeth is committed to supporting the agriculture industry by modernizing traditional markets and introducing new, technology-based ones.
Work on this digital transformation is set to begin immediately, with specialists from both ministries expecting the system to launch within a few months. A press release from the telecoms ministry confirmed that the use of QR codes would eradicate the necessity for authenticating photocopied documents.
Source: The Phnom Penh Post
