Social Mobilizing Service for the Accelerating Inclusive Market for Smallholders (AIMS) in 2021-23

The fourth year of Social Mobilization services, as per the agreement signed between the AIMS project and service provider Action For Development (AFD), joint venture with Life STEPS Organization (LSO), was a very productive and progressive portfolio. Accelerating Inclusive Markets for Smallholders (AIMS) is a joint project of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). As its name suggests, it intends to accelerate the inclusive growth of markets and the development of higher-value agricultural products and the development of associated local clusters through which poorer smallholder producers can benefit alongside others. AIMS is a 6-year project, effective from 28 February 2017, with an expected completion date of 31 March 2023. LSO was contracted to serve in the following nine provinces and 4 value chain commodities: backyard chicken, cassava, rice, and vegetables of smallholder farmers/producers:

1. Kampong Cham Province (regional hub office) is located in the central lowland of the Mekong River. It is the eleventh largest province in Cambodia, and with a population of 899,791 that is the most populous province. There are 9 districts and one municipality belonging to this province.

2. Kratie Province is located in the northeast. It is one of four provinces with a substantial indigenous population, and 70% of the population lives in rural areas. It’s a home of seven indigenous groups: Bunong, Kouy, Mil, Khonh, Kraol, Steang, and Thamoun. There are 05 districts and 01 municipality with a total population of 374,755. Kratie is one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia.

3. Preah Vihear Province is located in the north of Cambodia. It is one of the nine provinces that are part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. There are 06 districts and 01 municipality with a total population of 254,827.

4. Kampong Thom Province is second largest province by area. There are several significant Angkorian sites in the area. As one of the nine provinces bordering Tonle Sap Lake, Kampong Thom is part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. There are 07 districts and 01 municipality in Kampong Thom province with a total population of 681,549.

5. Prey Veng Province is crossed by two major rivers of the country, namely the Mekong and Tonle Bassac. The total land area of the province is 4,883Km2 with a total population of 1,057,720, and 80% of Prey Veng province are farmers living in 12 districts and 01 municipality. The majority of the population is Khmer, and only 1.13% are ethnic minorities such as Kinh(Viet), the Cham(Khmer Islam), and Lao.

6. Tboung Khmum Province is a province in the eastern part of Cambodia, located in the central lowland of the Mekong River. Its capital and largest city is Soung, Tboung Khmum province was formed when Kampong Cham province was split into two provinces by a royal decree signed on 31 December 2014 by King Norodom Sihamoni, with the suggestion of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The province is subdivided into 06 districts and 1 municipality, with a total population of 776,841.

7. Stueng Treng Province is located in the northeast of Cambodia; its northern boundary is an international border with Laos. The Mekong River crosses the province roughly through the center. The province is subdivided into 04 districts and 1 municipality with a total population of 165,713.

8. Mondulkiri Province is located on south-eastern part of Cambodia. It is the most sparsely populated province in the country despite being the largest in land area. The province was created in 1961 by splitting the eastern part of Kratie Province. The capital is Senmonorom town. The province is divided into 04 districts and 1 municipality, which are further subdivided into 21 communes and 98 villages with a total population of 92,213. The population lives off the land, planting rice, fruit trees, and a variety of vegetables.

9. Ratanakiri Province is located on northeast of Cambodia. Ratanakiri province is sparsely populated. It is 217,453 residents who make up just over 1% of the country's population. The province is among the least developed provinces in Cambodia. Its infrastructure is poor, and the low level of education, with under half of the population being illiterate.