Phnom Penh – Cambodia is gearing up to conduct the Cambodia Agriculture Survey (CAS) 2025, the country’s largest and most trusted source of information on farming and rural life.
Launched in 2019, the annual survey has become a cornerstone for shaping agricultural policies and improving the livelihoods of rural communities. This year’s edition will introduce a special focus on income, labour roles, and productivity — providing new insights into how much farmers earn, how families share farm work, and how effectively land is cultivated, according to a joint press release.
National Consultation Workshop
The preparations were highlighted during a national consultation workshop organised by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) under the Ministry of Planning, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The workshop gathered government officials, development partners, civil society groups, universities, and farmer representatives to ensure the survey captures the most critical data.
Rin Virak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Planning, stressed the survey’s vital role in national development.
“By taking full ownership of CAS 2025, Cambodia shows its strong commitment to using good data to support farmers, strengthen the seventh-mandate government’s Pentagonal Strategy, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Proyuth Ly, Assistant FAO Representative in Cambodia, emphasized the importance of reliable data.
“Substantial data is essential for building a better future for Cambodia’s farmers and rural communities. With CAS 2025, we will continue this important work while also gaining fresh insights into farmers’ incomes, labour and productivity,” he noted.
A Step Toward Greater Independence
This year’s survey also marks a milestone: Cambodia will independently oversee the entire fieldwork process for the first time. The country has graduated from the international 50×2030 Initiative, which had previously supported its agricultural data collection capacity.
Supporting Global Goals
Findings from CAS 2025 will be crucial for tracking Cambodia’s progress toward global development targets. These include better farm productivity (SDG 2.3.1), higher incomes for small-scale farmers (SDG 2.3.2), women’s land rights (SDG 5.a.1), and sustainable agriculture practices (SDG 2.4.1).
With national and international stakeholders working closely together, officials say CAS 2025 is expected to provide the most comprehensive picture yet of Cambodia’s agriculture sector, further strengthening policy and investment decisions that benefit farmers and rural communities.
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