Fish is a major part of the Cambodian diet, accounting for 61 percent of households’ animal protein intake and is the second most consumed food after rice. Average fish consumption is 63 kg/person/year.

In 2014, the country’s total fish production was 745,065 metric tons, of which aquaculture contributed one-sixth (120,055 metric tons) and was valued at USD 240 million.

Freshwater fisheries are an integral part of the country’s culture, economy and food security, and are a vital source of food for rural people. Overall, the fisheries sector provides employment to 2 million people, of which 10,000 people work in the marine fishery sector.

We work with the Government of Cambodia and development partners to increase productivity and investment in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Our research focuses on improving the productivity and resilience of wild fisheries in human-modified environments such as rice fields and reservoirs, the role of fish for nutrition security of women and children, and benefit-sharing in land and water management.

Current Priorities / Initiatives

  • Enhancing the productivity of rice field fisheries through protection of dry season habitats for fish.
  • Participatory action research in inland small-scale fisheries co-management and wetlands conservation.
  • Low-input, cost-effective and nutrition-sensitive small-scale and medium-enterprise models for aquaculture production and business enterprise models.
  • Climate Smart Agriculture technologies and practices.

Anticipated Impacts by 2022

  • 0.19M producer households adopt improved breeds, aquafeeds, fish health and aquaculture and fisheries management practices.
  • 0.18M people, of which at least 50 percent are women, are assisted to exit poverty through livelihood improvements related to fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
  • 0.08M people, of which 50 percent are women, are without deficiencies of one or more of the following essential micronutrients: iron, zinc, iodine, vitamin A, folate and B12.
  • 0.13M more women of reproductive age are consuming an adequate number of food groups.
  • 0.37M hectares of ecosystems restored through more productive and equitable management of SSF resources and restoration of degraded wetland environments.