From Phnom Penh to Singapore: Ecocert at the heart of events around sustainable agriculture
Friday 28 February, 2025
Our commitment to sustainable agriculture goes beyond borders; at the end of February, two events on the theme of sustainable agriculture took place in Asia! Participation in the Sustainable Foods Summit Asia in Singapore and the organization of a roundtable in Phnom Penh on the future of organic and sustainable agriculture in Cambodia.
A roundtable for the future of organic agriculture in Cambodia
Ecocert South East Asia organized a conference in Phnom Penh, bringing together government representatives, associations, NGOs, and agri-food sector companies to discuss the prospects and challenges of developing organic agriculture in Cambodia. With local stakeholders, Marie LACOSTE, Manager of the Sustainable Sourcing Business Unit, emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and field teams to ensure an effective transition to more sustainable supply chains. She also participated in workshops and training sessions aimed at supporting auditors, sales teams, and clients on issues and solutions related to responsible agriculture and fair trade.
Several key insights emerged from this meeting:
- Growing demand for organic and sustainable products in international markets
- Market specialization: Cambodia should prioritize high-quality products rather than positioning itself in mass markets with low added value.
- Challenges in education and financing: training and access to financing remain barriers to farmers adopting sustainable practices.
- Strengthening local partnerships: involvement of public and private actors, including the Ministry of Tourism, can play a key role in promoting Cambodia's culinary heritage.
The event also featured Philippe Thomazo, CEO of the Ecocert Group, highlighting the group's strong commitment to promoting actors in organic and sustainable agriculture internationally.
Sustainable Foods Summit Asia: rich exchanges on sustainable agriculture
During the Sustainable Foods Summit Asia, Ecocert had the opportunity to exchange with experts and stakeholders in the agri-food industry on challenges and solutions for more sustainable food production in Asia.
Samuel CHAUFFAILLE, representative of Ecocert South East Asia, emphasized the importance of long-term commitment to farmers and a comprehensive approach integrating biodiversity. Meanwhile, Marie LACOSTE, participated in a conference dedicated to sustainable sourcing, highlighting the challenges of ethical sourcing and tools to measure the impact of sustainable initiatives.
One common finding shared by Ecocert teams is that transitioning to more responsible agriculture requires a collective approach involving producers, governments, and the entire agri-food value chain. Several levers were identified at this summit to accelerate the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Asia:
- Increased government support
- Reduced certification costs
- Development of local markets for sustainable products
- Support for small producers
This event strengthened exchanges among sector stakeholders and accelerated the transition to more responsible models.
A collective commitment for a sustainable future Through these initiatives, Ecocert reaffirms its commitment to encouraging all stakeholders in the agri-food sector toward more responsible practices. Our mission remains unchanged: Acting for a sustainable world!
