Background
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) coordinates value-chain interventions and stakeholder forums to address production and market bottlenecks for staple crops such as maize. MAFF uses these convenings to bring producers, community organisations and private-sector buyers together to identify operational constraints and locally appropriate solutions.
The ASPIRE-AT programme is implemented by MAFF with technical and financial support from the Royal Government of Cambodia and external partners including IFAD, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the Global Environment Facility and South–South Triangular Cooperation. Maize value-chain coordination typically covers production, drying, storage, aggregation, processing, domestic sales and export functions that involve provincial departments, financial service providers and private buyers.
Key Developments
On 1 October 2026 MAFF hosted a forum in Siem Reap provincial capital to connect farmers, community groups and companies involved in maize buying, drying, processing and export. The forum was led by State Secretary Meas Piseth and Undersecretary Chan Sovathip and included 94 participants, of whom 21 were women. Representatives came from seven provincial MAFF offices (Siem Reap, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Cham, Kratie and Tbong Khmum), the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB), and local drying service providers, processors, buyers and exporters.
Institutional Role
MAFF organised the forum under the Agriculture Services Programme for an Inclusive Rural Economy and Agricultural Trade (ASPIRE-AT). The ministry indicated that ASPIRE-AT activities draw on a combination of government finance and technical assistance alongside contributions from international partners named in the programme documents.
Market Impact
Discussion topics focused on improving on-farm production practices, drying and storage capacity, local processing, and measures to increase maize quantity and quality for value-added sales and export. Participants aimed to clarify constraints and market requirements faced by producers and buyers to support better coordination across the maize value chain.
