The Inter-Provincial Workshop on Sharing and Dissemination of Results of Decentralized Governance of Food Systems, Food Security, and Nutrition was held on 18 December 2025 at the Prey Veng Provincial Administration, bringing together 83 participants from national and sub-national government bodies, development partners, research institutions, and community stakeholders. Co-organized by the Council for Agriculture and Rural Development, WorldFish Cambodia, and the International Water Management Institute, with support from CGIAR programmes, the workshop served as a platform to reflect on lessons learned and explore pathways for scaling decentralized food systems governance across Cambodia, drawing on experiences from Ba Phnom District in Prey Veng Province and Santuk District in Kampong Thom Province.
The discussions highlighted the role of District Working Groups on Food Security and Nutrition as emerging multi-stakeholder platforms that translate national food system priorities into concrete district-level planning and action. These mechanisms are aligned with key national frameworks, including the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I, the National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition 2024–2028, and the Food Systems Roadmap 2025–2030. Through ecosystem-based sub-working groups linked to lakes and community fish refuges, the approach strengthens connections with local communities and community-based organizations, helping to balance competing demands for water, agriculture, and fisheries while improving livelihoods, biodiversity, and nutrition outcomes.
Provincial and district leaders shared practical experiences demonstrating the value of decentralized coordination. In Ba Phnom District, improved collaboration around Boeng Sneh Lake has helped address water management challenges, reduce conflicts among resource users, and strengthen local food systems. These experiences reinforced the importance of provincial commitment in supporting and expanding decentralized governance mechanisms that respond directly to local conditions.
Evidence presented during the workshop showed how research and innovation are informing decision-making at the local level. Findings on integrated rice-field fishpond systems indicated higher productivity, increased incomes, and improved household nutrition compared to rice monocropping, while also enhancing climate resilience. Hydrological assessments of Boeng Sneh Lake illustrated how seasonal water shortages, climate variability, and competing uses require ecosystem-based planning and better water allocation at the district scale.
District representatives from Ba Phnom and Santuk reflected on the development and implementation of lake and fish refuge management plans, noting tangible progress alongside persistent challenges such as limited budgets, infrastructure gaps, and capacity constraints. These insights underscored the need for sustained technical support, stronger cross-sector coordination, and continuous engagement with communities to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Through group discussions, participants examined how District and Provincial Working Groups on Food Security and Nutrition can better coordinate implementation and reporting under the Food Systems Roadmap to 2030. Emphasis was placed on the importance of clear action plans, regular and inclusive meetings, stronger vertical linkages between district and provincial levels, and reliable funding mechanisms. Sub-working groups were widely seen as a practical way to keep community voices and ecosystem-specific knowledge central to decision-making.
The workshop concluded with a shared recognition that decentralized governance offers a scalable and practical pathway for advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems in Cambodia. Participants agreed that continued investment in capacity building, data-driven decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and community engagement is essential to ensure that national food system ambitions translate into tangible benefits for communities on the ground.
