Cambodia has identified agriculture as the top priority for socio-economic development. Even though Cassava has become the second largest agricultural crop in terms of income, employment, hectares cultivated, and exports, there is very little technical assistance support provided to the sector. Lack of technical support is potentially serious considering cassava cultivation could have serious nutrient depletion and other ecological effects on the soil.  

To improve sustainable cassava production, UNDP has since 2011 worked with China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture to help small processors and exporters of cassava move up the value chain, increase their revenue and cassava export, and create jobs in the cassava sector. Upon project completion in March 2015, China, Cambodia and UNDP have leveraged comparative strengths to develop together project modalities, produce local needs and environmental assessments, and organize joint missions to match cassava import/export needs.