r. Yang Saing Koma, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), together with a MAFF delegation, met with Commune Agriculture Officers (CAOs) in Mondulkiri in the afternoon of 8 August 2025. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Provincial Governor, directors and officers of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and representatives from the district administration.
During the meeting, Dr. Yang provided inputs on the following key points:
• Reaffirmed that the deployment of CAOs is a government policy priority to be successfully implemented from 2023 to 2028.
• Presented the roles and responsibilities of CAOs.
• Explained the administrative structure of the CAO program.
• Highlighted the importance of effective cooperation between CAOs, the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the sub-national administration.
• Emphasized cooperation with development partner projects and NGOs, ensuring local ownership and initiative in developing agriculture within target communes.
• Stressed the importance of team building to strengthen cooperation and mutual support among commune officers within the same district.
Dr. Yang also recommended that the Provincial Department of Agriculture and CAOs place greater attention on:
• Developing coffee as a unique product of Mondulkiri for promotion in domestic and international markets.
• Supporting the development of Koh Nhek district as the rice basket of the northeast by strengthening local rice processing.
• Selecting potential communes to be developed as agro-tourism destinations.