Microorganism-based innovation process: Agricultural Bio-inputs in Cambodia
This report provides an overview of the current state of bio-inputs in Cambodia, as well as some insights from innovation perspectives. It is primarily to evaluate the current state of the bio-inputs in Cambodia, identify key challenges and opportunities, and propose future pathways for sustainable agricultural development. We have gathered insights from surveys and forums, engaging stakeholders including Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), agricultural cooperatives (ACs), researchers, enterprises, and farmers to focus on technical aspects, value chains, and policy support. The overarching aim is to contribute for agroecological transition from chemical to natural and safe agricultural production. By identifying barriers, current statuses, and desired futures, we have crafted action plans for the next five years to realize these goals. Our empirical data, including forum discussions and surveys, reveal that unclear policies and limited production factors severely constrain biotechnological research and technologies in Cambodia. This leads to low demand and perpetuates a cycle of underdevelopment and under- innovation in bio-inputs. As quality and effectiveness of the bio-inputs are critical for farmers, one of the ways to improve its quality for agriculture is to foster research and development activities that involve local producers, agricultural communities, researchers, and private companies. These actors can collaborate to identify the best sources of biological inputs, including imported products, and to facilitate their trade and distribution. By promoting the commercial production and use of agricultural biological inputs, they can also contribute to the sustainability and productivity of the agricultural sector. Stakeholders aim to break this cycle by focusing on various aspects. Farmers prioritize cost reduction and market access, NGOs emphasize certification, research, development, and awareness-raising, while enterprises seek favorable policies and practical business models. Institutions focus on infrastructure development and awareness-raising. These efforts translate into pathways that initiate from the demand side to trigger the supply side. This entails raising consumer and farmer awareness, followed by entering high-value or modern markets practical for farmers. Leveraging traditional knowledge alongside modern technologies like Trichoderma shows promise, as seen in successful business models commercializing bio- inputs. A possible way to address these challenges is to involve external expertise in the design and implementation of experiments that can test and validate new practices of innovative bio-inputs. These experts can include researchers, suppliers, facilitators, or other actors who can provide technical assistance, financial resources, or institutional support for the experiments. By engaging these experts, the farmers can access more information and guidance, as well as benefit from more favorable conditions (such as funding, mandates, or exemptions) that can facilitate the adoption and innovation of bio-inputs. Through the forums with key actors and stakeholders, we have secured experimental spaces to enhance product effectiveness. This planning process reflects stakeholders' dedication to agricultural input innovation. Researchers and NGOs have called for more clarity and coherence in the policy frameworks that govern the bio-input sector, as well as more incentives and support for the producers and users of these products. In conclusion, this research underscores the critical role of planning, where stakeholders are poised to act through existing platforms and connections. With committed human resources at national and international levels, scaling up further is feasible. This progress is due to well-planned projects and free technology initiatives, highlighting the potential for innovative research.
