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Consultancy Services to Review Agricultural Cooperative Law in Cambodia

with Department of Agricultural Cooperative Promotion (DACP), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)

BTDC-ID: 39479
Closing Date:

Expected Outputs

Consultancy Services to Review Agricultural Cooperative Law in Cambodia

Announcement Description

The Law on Agricultural Cooperatives (AC) was established in Cambodia in 2013 to provide a clear legal framework for the establishment, governance, and development of ACs across the country. Ultimately, the law was adopted to support farmers in organizing themselves into producer groups in order to improve agricultural production, strengthen collective marketing, and enhance access to inputs, credit, and technical services. The law aims to promote democratic governance, transparency, and accountability within farmer organizations, thereby contributing to rural development and poverty reduction.

The implementation of the law is led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), which is responsible for cooperative promotion and supervision. Since its adoption, the law has facilitated the establishment of 1,476 ACs, comprising a total of 193,889 members (including 114,030 women). These ACs were registered by Provincial Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (PDAFFs) with the total capital of approximately USD 27 million. Furthermore, there are 22 Unions of Agricultural Cooperatives (UAC) and one Cambodian Agricultural Cooperative Alliance (CACA). ACs have expanded nationwide, improving farmers’ access to credit, inputs, and stable markets while enhancing satisfaction, strengthening buyer linkages, and reducing reliance on informal lenders for greater income stability.

The Sixth Priority Policy Program of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Seventh Legislature of the National Assembly, has prioritized the development of Modern Agricultural Communities (MACs) as a key strategy to strengthen institutional governance and productivity, reduce production costs, expand market opportunities, promote value-added processing, and improve access to finance.

Expected Outputs

Consultancy Services to Review Agricultural Cooperative Law in Cambodia

  • Career Category: Consultancies
  • Location: Phnom Penh
Summary

Objectives of Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to assess the effectiveness and implementation of the Law on AC and provide recommendations for amendments to strengthen the legal and institutional framework supporting ACs and MACs in Cambodia. The specific objectives of the assignment are as follows:

  • To review Cambodia’s AC Law and related legal documents against regional and international best practices to identify gaps, inconsistencies, and implementation challenges;
  • To assess the practical implementation of the law in consultation with relevant stakeholders;
  • To develop evidence-based recommendations and propose amendments to strengthen the law and its implementation mechanisms.

Scope of Work

The consultant is expected to carry out, but not limited to, the following duties:

  • Examine the provisions of the current AC Law, including related sub-decrees, regulations, and guidelines, to identify gaps and areas for improvement;
  • Assess practical implementation of the law, specifically focusing on cooperative registration procedures, governance structures, financial management, reporting systems, and compliance among ACs and MACs;
  • Review Cambodia’s AC Law against best practices and legal frameworks from selected ASEAN countries, as well as relevant international experiences;
  • Conduct assessments and stakeholder consultations to identify and analyze key issues and challenges;
  • Develop practical recommendations and proposed amendments to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework, improve governance, and support AC/MAC development;
  • Facilitate an internal consultation/review by presenting the draft amendments to a wider group of stakeholders and collecting structured feedback;
  • Prepare and submit key deliverables, including an inception report, draft review reports, and a final report on the amended law, and present findings and recommendations to MAFF and relevant stakeholders.

Eligibility

  • The candidate must meet the following minimum qualifications and experience:
  • At least Bachelor’s degree in law, public policy, agricultural economics, rural development, or other equivalent degrees;
  • At least 5 years of professional experience in legal documentation and agricultural policy;
  • Experience in statutory drafting, legal reform, or drafting government policies/decrees
  • Experience in cooperative promotion is an advantage;
  • Strong knowledge of Cambodia’s AC/MAC concepts, and operations;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Cambodia’s agricultural sector, including agronomy, animal husbandry, forestry, and fisheries;
  • Strong understanding of socioeconomic and policy development in Cambodia and the region;
  • Demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with government institutions, development partners, and private sector actors in promoting cooperatives;
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, interpersonal skills, reporting and management
  • Fluency in English and Khmer is required.

Submission Requirements

Interested candidates should submit proposals, including resumes and cover letters as well as a financial proposal (inclusive of all taxes), to email provided in the contact details. Proposals are due no later than 15 May 2026.

Shortlisted consultants will be invited for an interview. The selected consultant is expected to commence the assignment in late May 2026.

Please click Attachement below for more information.

Attachment:
  • Assignment for Consultant to revise AC Law_Final
 

Contact Details

Office Address
  • #200, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Sangkat Tonle Basak, Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
Contact Name
  • Department of Agricultural Cooperative Promotion, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
 
Email