Catching walking catfish fingerlings for counting and weighing, photo by CE SAIN, Cambodia
In the early 2000s, Cambodia faced significant challenges: widespread poverty, food insecurity, reliance on declining natural resources, and limited technology in agriculture and fisheries. However, its economy has improved significantly and in part thanks to aquaculture development.
In 2017, the MSU Working Paper 154 reported 30% of Cambodia’s 15 million population lived in poverty in 2008. Over 1.5 million rural and 150,000 urban residents were food insecure. Further, chronic food insecurity affected 11% of the population in 2010, with 40% of children under 5 being stunted and 28% underweight.
The productivity of agriculture (the primary occupation for 85% of the population) was low with high postharvest losses. Sixty-five percent of rural households were landless or land-poor, vulnerably relying on wet-season rice and fish. Meanwhile, wild fish supplies declined. The freshwater capture fisheries, the main source of fish (producing 405,000 to 445,000 tons annually in 2010 and 2011 based on National Statistics) experienced overfishing and ecosystem degradation, reduced catch quality-quantity, and threatened food security. The fishing communities faced declining incomes, rising daily expenditures, and limited market access. It led to labour migration, increasing the number of poor, and female-headed households (69% of rural poor households).
FAO/WAPI’s Factsheet 2024 shows Cambodia’s economy has improved significantly, in part thanks to aquaculture transformation. The aquaculture production increased (14,430 tonnes in 2000 to 348,350 tonnes in 2021) with an annual growth rate of 16.37% and projected to reach 776,677 tonnes by 2030 (see table below). It is now 40.7% of total fisheries production, reducing reliance on declining wild fish stocks. Poverty rates dropped (30% in 2008 to 13.5% in 2014) partly due to aquaculture-driven economic growth. Cambodia’s per capita fish consumption increased (20 kg in 1999 to 44.9 kg in 2019) with fish accounting for 68.6% of animal protein intake in 2020.
Cambodia (2020–2030) Aquaculture growth potential from a demand-side perspective
Cambodia’s aquaculture creates jobs, improved food security and nutrition. The EU’s Analysis in 2018 showed that aquaculture value chain contributes €399 million to Cambodia’s GDP (2.4% of the national GDP and 41.2% of the fisheries GDP). Furthermore, FAO Statistics in 2023 showed Cambodia’s aquatic product exports increased (USD 34.469 million in 2000 to USD 88.934 million in 2021). This transformation has brought social benefits linked to higher school attendance rates for children and improved living conditions. However, constraints such as inadequate seed supply, lack of credit, high mortality rates, and competition from imported fish hindered aquaculture development. Sustainability of adopted practices and environmental concerns from unregulated pond construction were also noted.
Critical Transformation Moments
Some critical moments here include wild fisheries to aquaculture shift to deal with overfishing and ecosystem degradation. This ‘sustainable alternative’ aquaculture was boosted by genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) introduction by WorldFish in 2019 to enhance aquaculture practices, productivity, and sustainability. Furthermore, adoption of accessible systems like rice-fish culture and pond systems allowed rural households to diversify income sources and improve resilience to economic shocks.
Various programs like the Commercialisation of Aquaculture Sustainable Trade (CAST) and Cambodia HARVEST facilitated farmers to upscale operations and improve productivity through training, technical expertise, and robust evaluations. The National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Development (2016–2030)’s policy outlined priorities for structured growth, while the Cambodian Aquaculturist Association (CAA) helped raise the sector’s profile and facilitated trade negotiations. As small-scale aquaculture and community-based fisheries promotion are integral components of the country’s strategy, they led to the establishment of 475 inland and 41 marine community fisheries with sustainable practices, We can see Cambodia’s aquaculture has grown rapidly from small-scale operations to intensive and diversified systems. As a critical component of the country’s fisheries sector, it contributes significantly to food security and economic development. However, challenges such as environmental sustainability, competition, and production inefficiencies remain areas for improvement.
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About the authors: Daniel Lindgren is the Founder of Rapid Asia Co., Ltd., a management consultancy firm based in Bangkok that specialises in evaluations for programs, projects, social marketing campaigns and other social development initiatives. Israr Ardiansyah is a writer working with Rapid Asia.