WELCOME to the Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) programme at CDRI - Cambodia's leading independent development policy research institute. To assist in policy dialogue and information dissemination related to natural resources and environmental issues in Cambodia, we have designed this site to serve as a portal to access key research findings and policy-relevant documents. Information on this site is intended to serve both local and international audiences, including policy makers, civil servants, researchers, consultants and students.
Introduction
Natural resources provide a wide variety of products and services for Cambodians. Currently, about 85 percent of the population live in rural areas. Most of them are farmers, earning their livelihoods from agriculture, forestry and fishing. The National Institute of Statistics (NIS) reports that, in 2005, about 27 percent of GDP was derived from agriculture, forestry and fishing. This indicates the important role of natural resources in poverty alleviation and economic development in this country.
It has been reported that many Cambodian farmers are entirely dependent on rainfall for rice production. In addition, they rely heavily on natural forests and water for additional food, income and other resources. Therefore, appropriate management of natural resources plays a critical role in agricultural productivity and improving rural livelihoods. The NRE unit works to produce independent, objective, high quality policy-relevant development research on natural resources, including water resource management, forestry, fisheries and the environment.
Programme Background
The NRE programme of CDRI was established in October 2001. The first research carried out by the programme focused on “The Links Between Rural Livelihoods, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development”. It aimed to improve understanding about key Issues in these areas to support policy making. The programme then focused on “Rural Livelihoods and Environment”, which was funded by Danida from April 2002 to June 2004. The key issues in the agriculture, fishing and forestry sectors were taken into account, including trade in fish and forest products, and the livelihood and resource management aspects of Cambodia’s high value forests.
Since the development of its 2001–05 strategic plan, CDRI has changed and so also has the NRE programme. It is growing larger and stronger by expanding research partners and its activities into water resource management to support agricultural production and sustainable use of natural resources. The objectives have also been revised and updated for the 2006-10 strategic plan. We undertake research and analysis to contribute to sustainable development and support the broader goals of CDRI and the government of reducing poverty and improving rural livelihoods. The objectives of the programme are:
- To implement a high quality, independent NRE research programme that supports national sustainable development objectives and poverty reduction through improved rural livelihoods;
- To deepen and broaden collaboration with relevant government institutions and civil society organisations in order to improve research impacts at the national level on NRE issues;
- To raise and broaden local, national and international awareness on NRE issues in Cambodia;
- To enhance NRE research capacity;
- To serve as an independent and reliable source of NRE information for policy formulation.
Research Activities
Water Management
WELCOME to the Water Resources Management Research Capacity Development Programme (WRMRCDP) website. This site has been designed to allow the public to access research findings and information regarding water management, irrigation and agriculture in Cambodia.
Introduction
WRMRCDP is funded by Australia’s Agency for International Development (AusAID) and is being implemented by the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) in collaboration with the University of Sydney (UoS) and the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), and in consultation with the Cambodian Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and other stakeholders. The project will take place over a five year period, beginning in July 2006 and ending in June 2011. Research activities will focus on the Tonle Sap Lake watershed in Cambodia.
Programme Background
The initial idea for the project originated from discussions on agriculture and water in the Technical Working Group on Agriculture and Water (TWGAW), co-chaired by MOWRAM and MAFF. One of the main challenges confronting Cambodian farmers today is securing access to adequate water resources for irrigation and other household uses. There are national plans to expand the area of irrigated land and improve the management of available freshwater resources. There have been suggestions that research be commissioned to examine models of local/community management of water resources and public-private partnerships, and assess the impact of these on rural incomes and livelihoods.
WRMRCDP has been formulated in accordance with the key strategic areas of the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP). These include increasing the area of irrigated land, improving the management of water resources and increasing rice productivity. In addition, the programme looks at a number of issues relevant to not only the NSDP, but also the Cambodian Millennium Development Goals and the Rectangular Strategy of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Goal and Objectives
The goal of the programme is: "To improve the use and governance of water resources to increase agricultural production and the sustainable use of natural resources in Cambodia".
- To achieve this goal, the project will focus on three objectives:
- To develop high quality data and knowledge on water resource research and management in Cambodia;
- To improve water resource research management capacity in Cambodia;
- To disseminate reliable and high quality knowledge and information on water resource management.