CO-Rice Seed Enterprise Project 60% of the Cambodian population resides in rural areas and depends daily on small farm outputs for their food, with rice productionas the main crop to sustain their livelihood. This rice farm output is dependent upon many inputs, of which rice seed is one of themost critical. Without available or accessible quality seed, many small-scale farmers are exposed to the potential of food insecurity and they depend on seed saving for their future rice cultivation. In regard to the seed requirements for rice production, it is estimated that about 250,000 tons is required every year based on the existing rice fields in Cambodia, and based on a report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), this number keeps increasing because of 2-3 cycles of rice production eachyear.

Based on community reflections, it was revealed that seed saving is far more frequent and important among poor households than wealthier households, who have greater access to commercial seeds. Purchased seeds carries greater prestige than home-saved seeds, and thus wealthier households prefer and seek to be more closely connected with the formal seed system. Additionally, poor villagers tend to trade with those of similar socio-economic standing, rather than approaching wealthier village members to trade or borrowseeds. However, seed-saving for personal paddy production is very limited due to reasons of labor shortages, lack of seeds and post-harvest technologies, access to limited fundamental seeds for multiplication, and crop failure caused by disasters # all of which are serious barriers in farming. Farmers also approach agricultural cooperatives (AC) or private companies for good quality seeds. The price of rice seeds ranges from 0.6US$/kg # 0.8US$/kg and they are sometimes not available or with limited choices and varieties, which can cause production failure, and thus insecurity at household level. Based on this lack of seeds supply, small-scale farmers use paddy grain as seeds, hence a high seeding rate (170kg/ha) and low productivity.

The formal seed system, in contrast, fails to supply adapted seeds of diversified rice varieties in rural areas. This project aims to bridge that gap. It will work with farmer seed producer groups to produce and market high-quality seeds, adapted to the needs of farmers. Experience of the organization partners will be used for assessing which business models can most feasibly bridge the gap between farmers and the market.

The overall Objective of the project is to enhance the livelihoods, income and rice seed security of small-scale farmers by improving their rice seed production and access to high-quality seeds adapted to farmers# needs and preferences. Specific project objectives include:
- Strengthen the capacity of seed producer groups targeted to improve affordability and access of appropriate rice seeds for small-scale farmers in their local communities
- Foster enabling conditions and partnerships with private sector for diffusion of rice seeds through farmer seedenterprises development

Expected Output and Outcome
- At least 15 seed producer groups established, with participation of at least 300 small-scale farmers including 60% of women, to produce the high-quality rice seeds.
- At least 300 small-scale farmers trained in rice seed production, soil health and integrated pest management through farmer field school
- At least 750 tons of rice seed produced by groups with high quality seed to supply to local markets
- Increase small-scale farmers income up $1,250 USDas a result of doubling the number of times of rice seed production per year
- At least 2 Agriculture Cooperatives (AC) adopted farmer seed enterprise as one of their main businesses.
- At least 2 private seed business companies linked togetherwith farmer seed producer groups for partnership in farmer seed diffusion