Tropentag, September 10 - 12, 2025, Bonn "Reconciling land system changes with planetary health"

Value chain analysis of cover crop seeds to scale agroecology: A case study in Battambang Province, Cambodia

¹Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL), Switzerland
²Cambodian Conservation Agriculture Research for Development Center (CARDEC), Cambodia
³French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, France

Abstract

In Cambodia, cover crops (CC) are being explored as an agroecological practice to improve soil health, sustain crop productivity, and enhance livelihoods. Since 2004, initiatives have introduced CC into rubber production systems during the immature period, later extending their use to annual rainfed crops and rice-based systems. In recent years, private companies, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations have become increasingly involved in developing the CC sector. This shift toward commercial operations prompted us to investigate the CC seed value chain and analyse the stakeholder network, aiming to identify key challenges, opportunities, and address the research gap. This case study from Rattanak Mondoul and Sanghae districts in Battambang Province used a mixed-methods approach. Data collection included: (i) an agroeconomic assessment (2023–2024); (ii) a qualitative survey of 23 seed producers; (iii) four focus group discussions with rice farmers using CC; (iv) 27 key informant interviews; and (v) value chain analysis, including participatory elements such as a multi-stakeholder workshop. Findings indicate rapid expansion in CC seed production, from 2 ha in 2017 to 177 ha in 2023, mainly involving Crotalaria ochroleuca and Crotalaria juncea. Seed producers reported mean net profit of $314.6/ha/year from CC seeds, compared to $438.5/ha/year from Maize (Zea mays). Fifty percent cited soil fertility improvement and profitability as main incentives. In 2023, seed production was expected to reach 288.5 ha, but this target was not met due to lack of equipment and unfavourable climate. While 90% of rice farmers observed notable improvements in soil fertility, 90% also identified economic and climatic constraints as barriers. Stakeholder mapping revealed a diverse landscape with varying influence and interest. The study examines how stakeholder recommendations could support the scaling of CC, highlighting short-term economic incentives and results-based reward mechanisms, such as those piloted by the Dei Meas initiative, as promising strategies.

Keywords: Conservation agriculture, Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria ochroleuca, farmers’ perception, participatory process, regenerative agriculture, rice farming, stakeholder mapping

Contact Address: Quentin Theiva à Hauariki, Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL), Kreuzgasse 9, 3053 Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland, e-mail: quentin.ahauarikibfh.ch