How do food value chains work in Cambodia? How should data be collected and evaluated in the field? What is the adoption rate of AI tools within the academic environment of Southeast Asia? These were the key topics explored by students from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) during the international summer school AgriConnect Cambodia: Digital Skills & Research for the Future.
Over the course of two weeks, the students visited two local partner institutions: the National University of Battambang (NUBB) in Battambang Province and the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The project team, led by Dr. Chaloupková, maintains long-standing cooperations with local colleagues at both institutions.
Food Production and Distribution
The central theme of the summer school revolved around value chains and their underlying principles within local production, processing, and distribution of food and agricultural commodities. Students were also introduced to the research conducted by their Cambodian peers, gaining insight into current priority topics addressed by local universities. They directly applied theoretical knowledge through practical assignments. Working in mixed student teams, they conducted interviews with customers at local markets, utilizing structured questionnaires to collect field data on consumer awareness and preferences regarding vegetable certification standards. The teams subsequently analyzed the data and presented their findings.
The program included practical field excursions that offered students an inside look into the daily operations of local enterprises. This allowed them to better understand how value-added products are developed across various levels of localization and production scales. A visit to a local organic waste processing and composting facility, as well as a local fertilizer production unit, provided valuable contrast. Local production of both segments plays a crucial role in enhancing accessibility of those inputs for smallholder farmers.
An authentic example of a local value chain was demonstrated during a visit to a small-scale fish processing facility specializing in fermented fish products, an essential component of Cambodian cuisine and nutrition. The facility practices zero-waste whole-fish processing: muscle tissue is transformed into fermented fish paste, while the skins and scales are repurposed into fried snacks and a gelatinous source of collagen.
Global Trade and Marketing
In the capital city Phnom Penh, students visited the modern, large-scale beverage manufacturing factory Khmer Beverages, representing one of the rapidly growing sectors of Cambodian food production. A notable contrast to regional producers was provided by a visit to an international agricultural trade fair, where students observed agricultural technologies and food producers from across Southeast Asia, accompanied by product tastings. The Smart Agri Cambodia project, also implemented by a team from CZU, was represented with its own exhibition stand.
The AgriConnect Cambodia summer school is part of a long-term collaboration between the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTA) at CZU and Cambodian universities. Its primary objective is to share knowledge and expertise while strengthening the digital and research capacities of young professionals who will address future challenges in sustainable agriculture, food security, climate change adaptation, and rural development.
The AgriConnect Cambodia project is coordinated by the Vice-Dean for International Relations of the FTA, Ing. Petra Chaloupková, Ph.D., dr. h. c. The summer school is led by Ing. Miloslav Petrtýl, Ph.D., with the active involvement of FTA doctoral researchers Ing. Martin Richter and Ing. Simona Tomanová.
