Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PHNOMPENH433
2009-07-01 10:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:
Cambodia Welcomes USG Initiative on Agriculture Development
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHPF #0433 1821059 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011059Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0876 RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000433
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT JANET SPECK, GARY CLEMENTS, DON
MORTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID PREL CB
SUBJECT: Cambodia Welcomes USG Initiative on Agriculture Development
and Food Security
REF: STATE 58996
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000433
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT JANET SPECK, GARY CLEMENTS, DON
MORTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID PREL CB
SUBJECT: Cambodia Welcomes USG Initiative on Agriculture Development
and Food Security
REF: STATE 58996
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (SBU) Post delivered reftel talking points and the five
principles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation via diplomatic note June 12. Econoff and USAID officer
June 15 delivered reftel demarche to Ngy Chanphal, Second
Vice-Chairman of the Council for Agriculture and Rural Development
and Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior.
2. (SBU) Mr. Ngy welcomed the U.S. global initiative, and the
commitment to country-led processes in particular. He explained
that the seven key areas for investment complimented the Royal
Government of Cambodia's (RGC) strategy for promoting agriculture
development and food security.
3. (SBU) He acknowledged that food security is a significant problem
in Cambodia, where it is estimated that twenty percent of the rural
population is landless, and twenty-five percent of those with land
have less than 0.5 hectares -- too small a plot to provide
sufficient food for a family. (NOTE: These estimates are based on
a 2008 Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI) survey,
"Impact of High Food Prices in Cambodia," which surveyed 2,235
households and found respondents' unconfirmed self-reporting showed
that 21.1 percent are landless, and 23.4 percent hold less than half
a hectare of land. End Note.) Access to food, in addition to
production and availability, is a key challenge facing Cambodia's
rural poor. When informed that USAID is planning to develop in
consultation with the RGC an agriculture development and food
security program, Mr. Ngy was pleased that the U.S. is planning to
take an active role in this important field.
RODLEY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT JANET SPECK, GARY CLEMENTS, DON
MORTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID PREL CB
SUBJECT: Cambodia Welcomes USG Initiative on Agriculture Development
and Food Security
REF: STATE 58996
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (SBU) Post delivered reftel talking points and the five
principles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation via diplomatic note June 12. Econoff and USAID officer
June 15 delivered reftel demarche to Ngy Chanphal, Second
Vice-Chairman of the Council for Agriculture and Rural Development
and Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior.
2. (SBU) Mr. Ngy welcomed the U.S. global initiative, and the
commitment to country-led processes in particular. He explained
that the seven key areas for investment complimented the Royal
Government of Cambodia's (RGC) strategy for promoting agriculture
development and food security.
3. (SBU) He acknowledged that food security is a significant problem
in Cambodia, where it is estimated that twenty percent of the rural
population is landless, and twenty-five percent of those with land
have less than 0.5 hectares -- too small a plot to provide
sufficient food for a family. (NOTE: These estimates are based on
a 2008 Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI) survey,
"Impact of High Food Prices in Cambodia," which surveyed 2,235
households and found respondents' unconfirmed self-reporting showed
that 21.1 percent are landless, and 23.4 percent hold less than half
a hectare of land. End Note.) Access to food, in addition to
production and availability, is a key challenge facing Cambodia's
rural poor. When informed that USAID is planning to develop in
consultation with the RGC an agriculture development and food
security program, Mr. Ngy was pleased that the U.S. is planning to
take an active role in this important field.
RODLEY