The SmartAgriCambodia project officially launched this week at the National University of Battambang (NUBB), marking a major step forward in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in northwestern Cambodia. The two-day kick-off meeting, held from May 16–17, 2025, brought together representatives from academic institutions, local cooperatives, non-governmental organizations, government authorities, and international partners.
The first day of the event opened with a warm welcome from the hosts, starting with the introductory remarks from the Rector of NUBB, the Deputy Ambassador of the Czech Repulic in Cambodia, and the Governor of Battambang province. A significant milestone of the event was the formal signing of the Agreement for Collaboration between the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) and NUBB, setting the foundation for long-term academic and development cooperation.
Dr. Kristina Heráková of CZU presented a comprehensive overview of the SmartAgriCambodia project, followed by detailed presentations on planned activities by prof. David Herák and Dr. Petra Chaloupková from CZU, and Bohumil Krejčí from the Baide organization. The session highlighted the project's focus on modernizing agricultural practices, improving farmer livelihoods, and building institutional capacity.
In the afternoon, the project’s local partners were introduced, including the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Processing (FAFP) at NUBB, Baide, LHCO, and Tasey Samaki Agricultural Cooperative. The meeting also marked the official establishment of two critical bodies for project governance: the Decision and Advisory Board and the Technical and Training Working Groups.
The day concluded with three parallel focus group discussions, where diverse stakeholders – including academics, cooperative members, NGOs, and representatives from government agencies – shared their insights and expectations for the project.
The SmartAgriCambodia project, supported by Czech Aid - international cooperation between Cambodia and the Czech Republic, aims to promote smart and sustainable agricultural solutions tailored to local needs. With a strong foundation of collaboration and a diverse network of partners, the initiative is poised to make a lasting impact on agricultural development in the Battambang region.
