Country Programs for Impact: WorldFish in Cambodia

This document provides an overview of WorldFish's contributions to aquatic food systems in Cambodia, focusing on sustainable development, food security, rural livelihoods, and environmental resilience. Since 2006, WorldFish has worked to integrate fish into rice-based agricultural systems, establishing over 160 Community Fish Refuges (CFRs) that have restored wild fish populations, improved rural diets, and enhanced ecosystem health. These efforts have benefited 80,000–127,000 households and sustainably managed over 200,000 hectares of rice–fish landscapes. The document highlights Cambodia's challenges, including rural poverty, food insecurity, climate risks, and water security issues. It emphasizes the importance of integrated, climate-smart approaches such as rice–fish systems, homestead aquaculture, and wetland conservation to address these challenges. WorldFish has also contributed to policy development, including the National Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan for Cambodia 2021–2030, and capacity building for government agencies, local communities, and women.

Citation

Akester M, Fleming A, Ou P, Mam K and Sean V. 2025. Country Programs for Impact: WorldFish in Cambodia. Penang, Malaysia: WorldFish. Country Programs: 2025-35.