Rural Development Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2023.

This Rural Development Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2023 is a cross-sectoral issued by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) of Cambodia. The MRD has reformed its Policy and Strategy for Rural Development in Cambodia, and coupled it with an institutional Action Plan to assure full re-orientation within 2019-2023. The objectives of 2019 MRD strategy and different sub-strategies across the MRD do aim at increasing employment opportunities and income generation in family households, gender equity and equality, efficiency toward reduction of poverty and tangible diversification of livelihood, promotion of appropriate investment in rural development and climate resilience, reliable access to public services. In line with such reformed 2019 MRD Policy, the three objectives of the 2019 Strategy are: • To strengthen institutional and human resource development, • To increase coverage and resilience of rural infrastructure and quality of rural public services. • To ensure good quality of life through inclusive social and economic development of the rural areas.
The policy document indicates that two of the larger challenges that Cambodia face are developing resilience to climate change and assuring gender equality in development, both cross-sectoral subjects that best are met by integrated approaches. As the roles of men and women in the rural economy and in the rural households do differ, MRD anticipates that future strategies and action are increasingly addressing these differences, assuring gender equality in the processes toward rural climate resilience. Based on the strategic analyses, appropriate MRD responses are organized through 14 Sub-programmes divided into 4 Programmes: • Programme 1 for enhancing capacity building and ICT and knowledge management. • Programme 2 for improving quality and resilience of the rural roads infrastructure network. • Programme 3 to increase access to improved rural water supply and healthcare. • Programme 4 to ensure a sustainable rural economy and harmonious community development. Sub-programmes under Programme 3 includ: Rural water infrastructure management, Rural waste management , Rural health and sanitation, and Small scale irrigation to household livelihood and small farming.
Priorities on strategic level are identified in the policy document, including: • Mainstreaming of strategic actions for climate resilience across all departments; • Increasing state budget for climate action; • Accessing international climate finance, active promotion to international climate finance institution; • Designs for climate-proofing of rural infrastructure; • Management of water supply within the full water cycle (including sanitation, health) • Income generation and livelihood protection through green economic measures; etc.