Ninety smallholder farming households in Battambang have secured 12-month buy-and-sell contracts to supply 380 tonnes of spices and safe vegetables to local buyers and processors, strengthening market access and supply links within the province’s agricultural value chains.
The agreements, which took effect in September 2026, were facilitated by the Accelerating Inclusive Markets for Smallholders (AIMS) Project in cooperation with the Battambang Provincial Department of Commerce.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Farmers | 90 smallholder households |
| Contract period | 12 months |
| Total contracted supply | 380 tonnes |
| Spices | 200 tonnes of turmeric and lemongrass |
| Safe vegetables | 180 tonnes |
| Contracts signed | 8 buy-and-sell agreements |
| Spice-producing households | 40 households |
| Safe vegetable households | 50 households |
| Participating districts | Samlout, Bavel, Banan, Aek Phnum and Rotonak Mondul |
| Buyers | Phuo Puy Market and Laey Baitong Social Enterprise |
| Start date | September 2026 |
Contracts Create More Predictable Markets for Farmers
The eight agreements were signed between safe vegetable and spice producer organisations and buyers, covering a full 12-month supply period.
Under the contracts, 40 spice-farming households in Samlout, Bavel and Banan districts will supply 200 tonnes of turmeric and lemongrass to buyers and processors at Phuo Puy Market and Laey Baitong.
A further 50 households producing safe vegetables in Bavel, Aek Phnum and Rotonak Mondul districts will supply 180 tonnes of fruit, leafy and tuber vegetables.
The agreements are designed to give farmers greater certainty about where their produce will be sold while helping local buyers and processors secure a more consistent supply of agricultural products.
Trader-to-Trader Dialogue Connects Farmers and Businesses
The contracts were reached during a Trader-to-Trader Network and Dialogue on safe vegetable and spice value chains, led by Kim Huot, Director of the Battambang Provincial Department of Commerce and head of the AIMS Provincial Project Management team.
The dialogue brought together 28 representatives from government agencies, financial institutions, businesses and producer organisations.
Participants included the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, Laey Baitong, seed suppliers KS Seed and East-West Seed, local buyers and processors, business clusters, and safe vegetable and spice producer organisations.
The dialogue provided a platform for farmers, traders, processors and other stakeholders to discuss supply requirements and establish more direct commercial relationships.
Strengthening Battambang’s Agricultural Value Chains
The new contracts could help address one of the recurring challenges faced by smallholder farmers: uncertainty over markets after production.
By establishing direct links between producer organisations and buyers, the agreements provide farmers with clearer market channels while giving businesses greater visibility over locally available supplies.
For buyers and processors, more predictable supplies can support procurement and processing operations. For farmers, stronger commercial relationships can potentially reduce market uncertainty and encourage more sustainable production practices.
The initiative therefore connects production more closely with actual market demand, an important element in developing stronger agricultural value chains in Battambang.
What the Contracts Mean for Farmers and Businesses?
The agreements cover a combined 380 tonnes of agricultural products over 12 months. Of this total, spices account for about 53%, while safe vegetables account for about 47%.
This creates a structured supply relationship between 90 farming households and local buyers rather than relying solely on informal or short-term market transactions.
The participation of seed suppliers, financial institutions, producer organisations, traders and processors also creates opportunities for broader cooperation across the agricultural supply chain.
Supply Breakdown
| Product group | Households | Contracted volume |
|---|---|---|
| Turmeric and lemongrass | 40 | 200 tonnes |
| Fruit, leafy and tuber vegetables | 50 | 180 tonnes |
| Total | 90 | 380 tonnes |
Angkor Times Analysis
The Battambang agreements demonstrate how organised market relationships can help smallholder farmers move from production based primarily on market availability toward more structured supply arrangements.
The 380-tonne commitment over 12 months is significant because it creates a defined commercial relationship between farmers and buyers. The model also links several parts of the value chain, including producers, traders, processors, financial institutions and agricultural input suppliers.
The longer-term impact will depend on how effectively the contracts are implemented, including farmers’ ability to meet agreed quality and volume requirements and buyers’ ability to maintain purchasing commitments. If these relationships remain reliable, the approach could provide a foundation for stronger local agricultural value chains and more predictable income opportunities for participating households.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Battambang households secured contracts?
A total of 90 smallholder households secured 12-month buy-and-sell contracts.
How much agricultural produce is covered?
The contracts cover 380 tonnes of spices and safe vegetables.
What spices will farmers supply?
Farmers will supply turmeric and lemongrass, with a combined contracted volume of 200 tonnes.
How many households produce spices?
Forty households from Samlout, Bavel and Banan districts will participate in spice production under the agreements.
How many households produce vegetables?
Fifty households in Bavel, Aek Phnum and Rotonak Mondul districts will supply safe vegetables.
Who will buy the agricultural products?
The agreements were signed with buyers from Phuo Puy Market and Laey Baitong Social Enterprise.
How long will the contracts last?
The contracts cover a 12-month supply period and took effect in September 2026.
Sources
Battambang Provincial Department of Commerce