Two agriculture NGOs announced yesterday the launch of a five-year project to empower tens of thousands of Cambodians to eradicate poverty and hunger in rural dry zones.

The Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture and the group Plan Cambodia aim to assist an estimated 75,000 people in 325 villages in Kampong Cham and Siem Reap provinces.

The project is anticipated to cost nearly US$3.17 million (€2.33 million), with funds provided by CEDAC, Plan Cambodia and the European Commission and seeks to target poverty in rural areas in order to enhance villagers’ resilience in combating the effects of climate change, drought and soil degradation.

“This project enables CEDAC to further develop, disseminate and replicate the best practices in sustainable agriculture in the dry land areas for long-term benefits of small farm holders and the environment,” said Yang Saing Koma, president of CEDAC.

He added that the project began in January and is expected to run through December 2015.