The Royal Government of Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration invited ASA’s Commercialization of Aquaculture for Sustainable Trade (CAST)-Cambodia to assist in identifying candidates for a new loan program for aquaculture, livestock and horticulture farm and post-production businesses.
The Rural Development Bank of Cambodia (RDB) is launching a $50 million COVID-19 response fund targeting these agricultural sectors. ASA’s CAST was the only non-governmental organization invited to a government loan program briefing that followed social distancing procedures. The briefing allowed the RDB to provide details on the availability of the funds and terms of credit for recipients.
CAST as well as World Vision, a CAST implementing partner, staff have since shared information with owners of fish farms and fish-buying businesses. As a result, the CAST team has forwarded nearly 50 positive responses of interest to the RDB for follow up with the businesses.
CAST is a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress-funded project to accelerate production of high-demand fish species for the Cambodian market and develop a lasting aquaculture industry.