MANILA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday said it has approved a financing package of 72 million U.S. dollars to help Cambodia strengthen agriculture and increase women's participation in agriculture.
The Smallholder Resilient Economic Development Sector Project consists of a concessional loan of 57 million dollars and a grant of 15 million dollars, according to ADB.
The project will upgrade agricultural infrastructure and services in communes that are vulnerable to natural hazards. It will contribute to the modernization of irrigation systems to serve farmland and rehabilitate access roads to connect farmers to markets, jobs and opportunities, particularly for women and underserved populations, said ADB.
The multilateral development bank said it will provide farmers with technical support and training to upgrade their skills and adopt resilient practices in crop production, horticulture, poultry, insect farming and aquaculture.
Overlapping natural hazards such as heatwaves, drought and flooding acutely impact Cambodia's agriculture and food systems, damaging infrastructure, limiting market access, and exacerbating food insecurity, particularly in rural areas. Women, representing 51 percent of the country's agricultural labor force, face limited access to economic opportunities, support, and financing, said ADB. ■
