Kampong Thom, Cambodia – The Cashew nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) recently held a collaborative meeting with the Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP), a local development organization established in 1996 in Ratanakiri Province. The meeting focused on building the capacity of indigenous communities in cashew nut processing.
NTFP is currently implementing a number of development projects across Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, and Preah Vihear provinces. One notable project, “Towards Improving the Livelihoods of Indigenous Communities in Ratanakiri Province (PRLIP),” is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the international NGO Welthungerhilfe (WHH).
Among the project’s 20 core activities is a key initiative to support indigenous communities in forming cashew nut processing groups. However, technical knowledge and experience in processing remains limited among local communities. To address this gap, NTFP sought to engage with CAC to exchange knowledge and learn from the association’s expertise.
Recognizing CAC’s success in advancing Cambodia’s cashew industry, NTFP representatives expressed interest in learning about the full production chain — from processing techniques and storage to drying methods and workforce management. The visit aimed to inform NTFP’s plans to establish a community-based cashew processing enterprise.
In response, CAC offered technical guidance on processing machinery and semi-finished product development. To provide hands-on insights, CAC also facilitated study visits to two cashew processing enterprises: 3COREsECO and Cheysambo, where the NTFP team observed operations and production workflows.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering indigenous communities through sustainable agricultural development and value-added processing in Cambodia’s growing cashew sector.