Local evidence advances policy dialogue on gender-responsive agriculture in Cambodia

Local researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners gathered in Phnom Penh to discuss how evidence from the Agricultural-based Growth and Resilience Opportunities for Women (AGROW) project can strengthen gender-responsive agricultural extension systems and improve resilience among women farmers in Cambodia. 

At the national dissemination workshop hosted by the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) with support from PEP, researchers Khiev Pirom and Uon Sokmoly presented findings from an impact evaluation of AGROW — a programme designed to strengthen women farmers’ livelihoods through integrated One Health and climate-resilient agricultural approaches. 

The workshop brought together representatives from Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), development partners, NGOs, research institutions, and agricultural practitioners to exchange lessons on evidence-based programme design and impact evaluation approaches.  

Policymakers and practitioners engage with evaluation evidence 

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged directly with evidence on what works in strengthening rural resilience, women’s empowerment, and sustainable agricultural practices in climate-vulnerable settings. 

Responding to the findings, H.E. Dr Chan Phaloeun, Under Secretary of State at MAFF, emphasized the importance of rigorous impact evaluation in informing agricultural policy and programme design.  

“Rigorous impact evaluation is essential for strengthening agricultural policy and programme design. There is value in expanding similar studies beyond Battambang province and deepening collaboration between government and research institutions to advance One Health and climate resilience in agriculture,” she said. 

Discussions also highlighted interest in strengthening institutional investment in One Health and climate resilience approaches.  

Participants further stressed the importance of integrating evaluation findings into future agricultural extension systems and rural development programmes, while encouraging stronger collaboration between government institutions, researchers, and implementing organisations.  

The workshop also reinforced growing recognition of One Health and gender-responsive programming as cross-cutting priorities for Cambodia’s agricultural sector.  

Stakeholders exchange lessons on impact evaluation 

Beyond presenting the AGROW findings, the workshop created space for broader discussions on how impact evaluation can improve programme implementation and policy decision-making. 

Guest speakers Ms. Kimna Leav, Country Director of the Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (CPSA/Grow Asia), and Mr. Nong Sina, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Coordinator at HEKS/EPER Cambodia, shared practical experiences on evaluation methodologies and the challenges of generating credible, actionable evidence in development programming.  

Discussions highlighted strong stakeholder interest in improving baseline data collection, strengthening mixed-method evaluation approaches, and integrating evaluation systems earlier in programme design. Participants also exchanged lessons on addressing methodological challenges such as selection bias, spillover effects, and data limitations in agricultural evaluations.  

Speakers emphasised that effective evaluation is not only about measuring outcomes, but also about understanding the pathways through which agricultural interventions influence resilience, women’s empowerment, and long-term behavioural change. Presentations explored approaches including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, before-and-after comparisons, and mixed-method methodologies.  

Evaluation findings point to stronger resilience and women’s empowerment 

The AGROW evaluation examined how integrated support across livestock, crops, market access, peer learning, and One Health practices affected women farmers’ livelihoods and resilience in Battambang province.  

Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study found that AGROW contributed to measurable improvements in household income, technical knowledge, women’s empowerment, and resilience among participating households.  

Key findings presented during the workshop showed that: 

Researchers also highlighted the importance of peer learning structures, women-led groups, technical coaching, and improved access to agricultural services in supporting behavioural change and resilience-building among participating households.  

At the same time, discussions acknowledged persistent barriers affecting more vulnerable households, including limited capital, small landholdings, and constraints on adopting some sustainable practices at scale. 

The workshop strengthened engagement between government institutions, NGOs, development partners, and research organisations, while reinforcing the role of locally led evidence in shaping more resilient and inclusive agricultural policies in Cambodia.  

The event was organised by CDRI with support from PEP under the Learning and Knowledge Management Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada.