On 9 October 2025, the Innovation for Impact Project (INAS) held its inaugural Steering Committee meeting at Sun Way Hotel. This joint initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; the Ministry of Health; and the Ministry of Youth, Education and Sport is coordinated by the Council of Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) with technical and financial support from Helen Keller International, in cooperation with IDE and Vitamin Angels.
The pilot targets 25 communes in five provinces—Takeo, Kampot, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang, and Banteay Meanchey—focusing on families with children under five, especially those with Moderate and Severe Acute Malnutrition (MAM/SAM). The project fosters collaboration among Commune Agriculture Officers, Health Centers, and Primary Schools to improve nutrition outcomes.
Key achievements include establishing the Steering Committee, co-chaired by H.E. Dr. Chea Samnang, Vice President of CARD, and H.E. Dr. Yang Saing Koma, Secretary of State of MAFF, training Commune Agriculture Officers in nutrition-sensitive and climate-resilient agriculture with test scores improving from 15% to 85%, securing ethics approval for health baseline research, and initiating MAM/SAM screening and awareness campaigns in schools.
Planned activities for the coming months emphasize continued training, baseline surveys, coordination at the commune level, expanded malnutrition screening and treatment, improved communication, and enhanced project visibility. The Committee will also consider awards for outstanding communes and integration of progress reports into Provincial Working Group meetings.
This meeting marks a significant step toward sustainable improvements in nutrition through integrated sectoral efforts.