Blockchain for livelihood from Organic Cambodian Rice (BlocRice) II

Cambodia is a low-income country in Southeast Asia, where agriculture continues to be the basis for the economy with 54% of the population earning their income in. The rural population is poor to very poor, largely reliant on rain-fed rice production for their subsistence and family income. Some 20% of the rural families are landless and 40% land poor. Most Cambodian farmers are smallholders with less than two hectares per household, using traditional production techniques. The project takes place in the Preah Vihear province, Central North of the country.

The rice value chain lacks transparency, whereas farmers are losing out and consumers are mostly unaware of issues in the value chain. Prices are set at local level on a daily basis and can fluctuate, leaving farmers unsure of their income and unable to plan or invest. In fact, they tend to earn just enough to sustain themselves, but not sufficient to break out of their poverty trap.

Rice traders control information about the markets, so farmers cannot make informed decisions. Unequal production and trade relations contribute to the fact that farmers are unable to earn a living income from rice production.

The project's focus is to work on increasing the income level of Cambodian rice farmers so they are able to reach a living income in the future. It aims to approach the living income theme by addressing the transparency challenge with blockchain technology in combination with technical assistance to improve rice quality and farmer empowerment in the value chain.

The project partners include:

• rice cooperatives Choam Ksan Cheayden Meanchey AC and Rumtum Samaki AC
• Amru Rice Co., Ltd (rice trader and exporter)
• SanoRice BV, a private label producer of rice cakes and, Oxfam Novib, a non-governmental organisation with international operations advocating for economic justice and promoting fair opportunities in value chains to primary producers and labourers.

Furthermore, DO-IT and Udea have joined the project partnership.

Project structuring is done by Schuttelaar & Partners, a B corp consultancy firm.