Background
On 27 April 2023, senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) facilitated the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the private sector on artificial cattle breeding. The event was held at the Peace Building of MAFF under the coordination of H.E. Ki Chanda Romduol, Secretary of State of MAFF.
The MOU brings together three public higher education institutions and a private agricultural enterprise to cooperate on artificial insemination and dairy cattle raising, with the stated objective of contributing to the development of Cambodia’s agricultural sector and the broader national economy.
Scope of Application
The cooperation covers collaboration between three state higher education institutions and a private company involved in cattle breeding and dairy production. The public institutions are the Royal University of Agriculture, the Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture, and the Kampong Cham National Institute of Agriculture. On the private sector side, the partner is I Seven Ranch (Cambodia), owned by Oknha Srey Chandar.
Within the Royal University of Agriculture, the cooperation specifically involves the Faculty of Animal Science, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the research department. The partnership is intended to support training, research, and practical application in artificial cattle breeding and dairy cattle raising.
Key Provisions or Decisions
According to statements at the signing ceremony, the MOU establishes a framework for:
- Cooperation between the three state higher education institutions and I Seven Ranch (Cambodia) on artificial cattle breeding.
- Joint work on the raising of dairy cattle to improve productivity and support the development of the agricultural sector.
- Utilization of human resources trained in agriculture over the past decades, with approximately 15,000 graduates from the Royal University of Agriculture across the country.
- Strengthening collaboration between public institutions and the private sector to enhance the effectiveness of human resources in contributing to Cambodia’s economic development.
- Application of technologies and modern techniques for artificial cattle breeding and cattle raising, drawing on experience and know-how from countries such as Australia, Brazil, the United States, and Thailand, as described by the company representative.
The MOU is positioned by the participating parties as an important instrument for organizing cooperation on artificial insemination and dairy cattle production within Cambodia’s agricultural development strategy.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
This MOU indicates MAFF’s support for structured public–private cooperation in livestock development, particularly in artificial cattle breeding and dairy production. For agribusinesses and potential investors, it signals an institutional link between state agricultural education and research bodies and a private farm operator, with an emphasis on technology transfer and human resource development.
While the document announced is an agreement on cooperation rather than a regulatory instrument, it may create opportunities for collaboration with the participating institutions in areas such as cattle breeding, veterinary services, and applied agricultural research. No specific compliance obligations, incentives, or regulatory changes were described in the announcement.
Official Source
The information is based on an official communication from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries published on its verified Facebook page on 27 April 2023.
