Implementation Organization : Wildlife Conservation Society – Cambodia Program
Country : Cambodia
Project Area : Land management
NetRes : IGES
Duration of Project : 12 months
Status : Ongoing
Summary
Wildlife-friendly products refers to rice (and other produce) grown by members of a community agricultural cooperative that has agreed to abide by land use rules and regulations prohibiting forest clearance and hunting of globally important wildlife species. This pilot project will analyze a number of local products and assess (a) their potential for cultivation, (b) ease of value-added processing by communities and (c) their marketability (local and international). The local market in Cambodia has particular potential due to the large number of tourists (>2 million in 2007) visiting nearby Siem Reap. Based on this initial analysis, the project will select the most feasible products for implementation. A certification agency will be established that identifies buyers willing to pay a price premium for wildlife-friendly products and facilitates contracts between these buyers and village-level cooperatives. These cooperatives will require their members to adhere to strict land use rules and regulations, which were created to (1) protect the habitat for biodiversity and endangered wildlife and (2) mitigate climate change through reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD). Regular monitoring will be conducted by the certifier, to ensure that these regulations are being respected. A successful program will see communities in 5-7 villages (>1,000 Households) receiving price premiums for their produce, contingent on them keeping to land-use plans.
Key Activities
a. Primary and market research.
• Assess current rice varieties grown in target areas, determine which is best as an up-market product
• Evaluate other produce raised in target areas – as to suitability (quality and marketability)
• Explore value-added possibilities for at least 5 different products
• Survey local establishments in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and establish contacts with those willing to sign purchase agreements for a guaranteed amount of wildlife-friendly products
• Research possible international markets – determine levels of quality and quantity necessary for new market entrants
• Investigate certification process and links to wildlife friendly brand(s)
b. Training and capacity building for local communities
• Set up training workshops in the villages to teach willing community members how to produce packaging from local materials
• Work with partners to develop necessary skills/build capacity to take on new roles
• Provide training of value-added activities
c. Establish contracts with in-country buyers
d. Develop promotional materials and packaging prototypes
e. Install necessary infrastructure
Contact Info
Mark Gately, Country Program Director
P. O. Box 1620, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: +855 23 217 205
Fax: +855 23 219 443
E-mail mgately@wcs.org |
