Climate Adaptive Irrigation Supporting Agricultural Resilience (CAISAR)

The Cambodian government is advancing its efforts to safeguard food security and bolster climate resilience with the launch of the Climate-Adaptive Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture for Resilience (CAISAR) Project, backed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). This ambitious initiative aims to strengthen climate-resilient irrigation systems and ecosystems while improving flood control and disaster resilience in key agricultural areas.

Focusing on three irrigation schemes across four provinces—Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal, and Pursat—the project targets areas that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including flooding, drought, and other extreme weather events. By restoring irrigation systems and enhancing ecosystem resilience, CAISAR will directly contribute to sustaining food production and increasing the adaptive capacity of rural communities in these regions.

The project is structured around three key components:

• Improving farm-level climate resilience and water use efficiency, aiming to help farmers manage water resources more sustainably and enhance agricultural productivity.

• Climate-proofing water infrastructure, which will fortify irrigation systems to better withstand climate-related disruptions.

• Institutional strengthening, focused on building local capacity to manage water resources and implement climate-resilient practices effectively.

  
  

As Cambodia continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, CAISAR plays a crucial role in preparing the country’s agricultural sector for future challenges, ensuring that rural populations can thrive despite ongoing environmental risks.

Learn more about CAISAR project here.