ADB Advances Resilient Agriculture and Women's Economic Empowerment in Rural Cambodia

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (26 October 2026) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $72 million financing package to help Cambodia strengthen rural farming and increase women’s participation in agriculture, while enhancing the resilience of about 200,000 smallholder farmers in disaster-prone communes.

The financing consists of a $57 million concessional loan and a $15 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, which supports countries most in need to meet today's challenges while building the foundations for lasting growth. ADB’s financing is complemented by a $23 million cofinancing from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Infrastructure Fund, a $10 million grant from the Green Climate Fund, a $3 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific financed by the Government of Japan through ADB, and a $4.3 million contribution from the Government of Cambodia.

“Investing in smallholder farmers, particularly women, is essential for boosting the rural economy and supporting poor communities that are most vulnerable to extreme weather events,” said ADB Country Director for Cambodia Yasmin Siddiqi. “By helping women lead and participate in local decision-making and development programs, this project will scale up inclusive agricultural value chains and strengthen food systems, while driving women-led businesses and supporting families to build healthier, more secure, and resilient futures.”

Overlapping natural hazards such as heatwaves, drought, and flooding acutely impact Cambodia’s agriculture and food systems, damaging infrastructure, limiting market access, and exacerbating food insecurity, particularly in rural areas where 59% of the country’s population live. Women, representing 51% of Cambodia’s agricultural labor force, remain among the most vulnerable, as they face limited access to economic opportunities, support, and financing.

The Smallholder Resilient Economic Development Sector Project will upgrade agricultural infrastructure and services across 186 communes in seven provinces, which are severely vulnerable to natural hazards. It will modernize irrigation systems to serve an additional 7,000 hectares of farmland and rehabilitate 190 kilometers of access roads to connect farmers to markets, jobs, and opportunities, particularly for women and underserved populations.

The project will provide farmers with technical support and training to upgrade their skills and adopt resilient practices in crop production, horticulture, poultry, insect farming, and aquaculture. It will offer grants to help farmers reduce dependence on imported fuel and fertilizers and boost their resilience to disasters and global shocks. The project will also enhance community resilience planning by actively engaging women and vulnerable populations in developing and implementing local early-warning and disaster-response systems, promoting healthier diets, and managing natural hazard and disaster risks.

ADB is a longstanding partner of Cambodia and ASEAN. As the region’s main bank, ADB supports investments that strengthen resilience, improve rural livelihoods, and advance inclusive and sustainable development across Southeast Asia.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.