The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is giving Cambodia $100 million to upgrade its irrigation systems and help farmers handle climate change, the bank announced on June 25. Officials signed the agreement at AIIB’s annual meeting in Beijing. More than 560,000 rural people will get help from this, mostly small farmers.
Cambodian farmers have always counted on seasonal rains. Climate change has made weather harder to predict—droughts kill crops one year, floods wipe them out the next. Farmers lose their harvests and their money.
The project will repair irrigation in four provinces: Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal and Pursat. The International Fund for Agricultural Development and Green Climate Fund are also putting in money.
“We are pleased to partner with the Government of Cambodia on this project that prioritizes climate resilience for smallholder farmers,” said Rajat Misra from AIIB. The bank will also train local officials to run the new systems.
Cambodia’s Secretary of State Ros Seilava said the project matches what his government wants to do about climate change and rural development. Better irrigation means farmers can grow food even when rains don’t show up on time.
