Background
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries administers the EMPOWER project to deliver targeted livelihood support through beneficiary selection and coordination with local administrations in rural districts.
Commune- and sangkat-level administrations are accountable for facilitating beneficiary verification and for nominating village focal persons that match project-defined occupations and skills.
Under project rules, households classified as poverty level KR1 or KR2, or households recorded as vulnerable by certification, are prioritized for receiving EMPOWER assistance in targeted communes.
Key Developments
On 26 August 2026, State Secretary Oum Kim Sia, as the district-level implementing lead for EMPOWER in Rolabei district, chaired a review meeting at the provincial MAFF office in Kampong Chhnang to assess project progress and beneficiary selection. Participants included the provincial head of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Nginn Hun), deputy district governor Mey Sophaly, district project coordinator Ratn Bori, representatives from six target communes and commune-level agricultural officers.
The six target communes identified in the meeting were listed as Svay Chrum, Phnum Krang Dey Meas, Prey Muol, Pongro, Banteay Preal and Krang Leav. Following the verification process, 1,015 households were determined to meet the project’s eligibility criteria and were designated as entitled to receive EMPOWER benefits.
Institutional Role
MAFF’s district office led the technical review and beneficiary verification while commune- and sangkat-level administrations were tasked with coordinating village selection and local facilitation. The meeting recorded requests for communes to select village focal persons whose occupations and skills align with EMPOWER eligibility conditions, and for commune administrations to assist with verification and coordination activities.
Operational Implications
The verification outcome establishes a defined beneficiary cohort of 1,015 households for the district-level EMPOWER implementation cycle. Commune-level selection of village focal persons and continued coordination by local authorities are expected to be the primary mechanisms for aligning household participation with the project’s operational criteria.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Facebook post (MAFF).
