ppp slides (dr. neth baromey)

Moving Beyond Agriculture and Ecotourism: Analysis of

the Potential of Agro-Ecotourism for Sustainable Development in

Northeastern Cambodia

Baromey Neth, Sam Ol Rith, and Socheata Tao

Department of Tourism, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Background & Rationale

2

This reflects that our human society has failed to function as a integral fraction of nature, and to support unsustainable consumption while increasing number of human beings trapped in extreme poverty

Cambodia is striving to recommit itself to sustainable development and has established a clear vision for green development in the context of economic growth and poverty alleviation

IP communities in NE Cambodia are facing severe livelihood problems and socio-cultural change and alienation

Therefore, integrated symbiosis approaches need to be developed to help human society live in harmony with nature and utilized as a dual remedy to address environmental and livelihood vulnerabilities in NE region

Background & Rationale (cont.)

Sustainable Economic Growth &

Development

Improved Community Livelihood

Strategies & Welfare

Improved Environmental

Governance

Nature-Harmonious Society in

Northeastern Cambodia

Water & Transboundary River

Governance

Market and Non-Market-based

Mechanisms in in Agricultural

Productivity & Ecosystem Services

Socio-Ecological Resilience and

Community Health / Capability

Business Models for Sustainable

Community Economic Development

Alternative Mechanisms for

Harmonization of Economic

Development & Environmental Conservation

Stakeholder Harmonization &

Linkage in Land and NR Governance

Agro-Ecotourism

Characteristics

Sustainable organic

agriculture

Improved environmental

governance

Improved community livelihood strategies

Economic growth &

green development

Regional integration

Market-based multi-

sectoral linkages

Revitalized & preserved IP culture

Aim & Objectives �  Aim: To analyze the feasibilities for developing

agro-ecotourism as an integrated tool for economic growth via multi-sectoral development, community livelihood improvement, and environmental conservation in Northeastern Cambodia, while identifying opportunities to have it developed at different economics of scale and forms.

Objectives:

1)  To identify the potential resources and products in forms of attractions, human capital (necessary skills/knowledge and technology), tourism services and amenities and tourists activities;

2)  To find out relevant policies, plans, and other legal framework that are supportive of developing and promoting agro-ecotourism in Cambodia with a particular emphasis on Northeastern part of Cambodia;

3)  To identify and analyze capacity and support of concerned stakeholders (Representative government, civil society, tourism industry and communities) for agro-ecotourism development in Northeastern Cambodia as well as in specific locations/sites of the province as well as their perceptions on potential benefits that it could provide to the area;

4)  To assess the current and anticipating challenges to development of agro-ecotourism in Northeastern Cambodia; and

5)  To prepare appropriate strategies to develop and use agro-ecotourism.

Methodology �  A part of a research project on nature-

harmonious human society building in NE Cambodia supported by WB-MoEYS-HEQCIP and the CBET project supported by DANIDA, EU, and WWF-Cambodia

�  Research sites:

§  Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri provinces

�  Data Collection:

§  Documentary review & analysis §  Key informant interviews §  Semi-structured interviews §  Expert / stakeholder workshops §  Non-participant observation

�  Data Analysis:

§  Content analysis §  Framework analysis

Findings & Discussion POTENTIAL RESOURCES

NATURE CULTURE

Natural landscape; rich ecosystem services and biodiversity resources (wildlife and plant species) and unique natural habitats; agricultural farms; home gardens; rural agricultural landscape; etc.

Traditional farming techniques; traditional cultural performance of indigenous communities, arts and craftsmanship; tradition, culture, and wisdom / knowledge of indigenous people IP); local gastronomy and food processing; & many other tangible & intangible cultural assets.

POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES

ON-FARM OFF-FARM

Harvesting crops, vegetables and fruits; staying with local (IP) people; learning about organic agriculture and agricultural production; etc.

Wildlife viewing; enjoy traditional dance; learning about plant and animal species, waterfall bathing; trekking and hiking; cycling in local villages; boating / canoeing; etc.

Findings & Discussion (cont.) Support Legal & Policy Frameworks

24,sept 1993 Constitution

1, Nov 1993 Royal Decree on the

Creation & Designation of

protected areas

24, Dec 2001 Environmental protection and

Natural Resource

19, Mar 2001 Law on Commune

Administration

Sept 2001 Land Law

Aug 2002 Forestry Law

Dec 2003 Community

Forestry Sub-decree

30 Mar 2006 Fisheries Law

21 july 2006 Guidelines For

Community Forestry

3 June 2005- 20 Mar 2007

Sub-Decree on community

Fisheries Management

13 july 2007 Guidelines For

Community

15 Feb 2008 Protected Area Law

Indigenous Land right

2005 (amended 2009)

Sub-Decree on Economic Land

Concession

7 May 2012 Executive Order

No. 001

Findings & Discussion (cont.)

1995 2002 2003 2004 2006 2008 2009 2010 2013 2014

Signed the UNFCC

Signed Kyoto Protocol

Forest Law

Sub-decree on community forest management

National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan

National Adaptation Program of Action to CC

Protected Area Law

Green Growth Roadmap

National Forest Programme (2010-2029)

Cambodia REDD+ Roadmap

Policy on Green Growth

National Strategic plan on Green

Growth

Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan

(2014-2023)

National Strategic Development Plan

2014-2018

Evolution of relevant regulations

Rectangular Strategy (Phase 3)

Findings & Discussion (cont.) �  Analysis of Opportunities

Attraction Relationship Infrastructure Accessibility

Rich in natural and cultural resources

Limited linkage between agriculture and tourism

Only a basic infrastructure, not for agro-ecotourism (e.g. indigenous market, organic agri-product fair)

Accessible by every transportation mode

User Prerequisite

Social Interaction Tourist Demand Private Sector Interest

•  Richness, uniqueness & authenticity of local knowledge •  Basic skills, but not yet ready for tourism

Willing to participate, yet lack of proper mechanisms to involve them. Still tourism is still viewed as benefits for them.

•  Peak period: Oct to May (foreign tourists) • Different travelling patterns between domestic and international tourists • Favorite activities and willingness to pay

Investment in providing tourism amenities and small-scale agricultural farms, etc.

Findings & Discussion (cont.) �  Challenges for Agro-Ecotourism Development

Legal Challenges

Policy

Challenges

Institutional Challenges

Structural Challenges

Market Challenges

Implementation Challenges

Political Challenges

Technological Challenges

Benefits for Community Development

�  Improving welfare of both host and guest communities

�  Revitalization of culture and agriculture

�  Enhancement of farm income and local livelihoods

�  Reducing amount of out migrant to neighboring countries due to high job opportunities, etc.

Benefits for Conservation Activities

�  Land use securities through proper land used zoning

�  Ability to cope with climate change effect and contribute reduce bad effect of climate change through practice of sustainable agriculture, etc.

Macro-Economic Benefits

�  Agricultural export industries

improvement

�  Multi sectoral growth

�  Green tax

�  Diversify types of business, etc.

Micro-Economic Benefits

�  Improve rural production and livelihood systems

�  Increase and diverse amount of income

�  Reduce leakage of local economy

�  Improve multiplier effects �  Stimulate rural economy, etc.

Full Economic Participation &

Livelihood Improvement

Home Saving Asset

Financial Security and

Independence

Jobs Business Leadership

Jobs, Business and Entrepreneurship

Aspirations Education Training Qualification

Individual Capabilities and Resources Infrastructure Land Governance Security

Strengthening Foundations

Principles for Agro-Ecotourism Development in Northeastern Cambodia

•  Crop diversification with rotational crop planting system, improve animal and human welfare

Organically-grown and managed farm

•  Water quality and soil fertility management, integrated land used planning, ecosystem approaches in agricultural production

CC response in agricultural practice and environmental

governance

•  Product development & diversification and quality improvement

Visitor and tourist experiences

•  Create strong linkage and network with other businesses Multi-sectorial integration

•  Create partnerships, networks, and consultation with government advisor, CSOs, CBOs, private sectors, etc.

Stakeholder collaboration

•  Build trust, ownership, capacity and capital investment, proper governance structure, business legal frameworks

Community empowerment and ownership building

•  Product development, marketing network, distinctive product branding, sustainable business models, extensive initial consultation

Market mechanisms

Scenarios Development and Analysis

q Agro-ecotourism can be developed into three

different scenarios based on practical contexts and

supporting policies to tackle against current

development challenges in the areas.

Scenario 1: Community-Owned & Managed

Community Empowerment,

Ownership building

Stakeholder Collaboration

Organically-managed

farm

Climate Change

Responses & Environ.

Governance

Market Mechanisms

Visitor / Tourist

Experience & Satisfaction

Multi-Sectoral Integration

Scenario 2: Joint Venture


Ownership building

Market Mechanisms



Organically-managed

farm

Climate Change


Governance

Visitor / Tourist


Scenario 3: Private-Owned & Managed Farm

Market Mechanisms


Ownership building

Visitor / Tourist



Organically-managed

farm

Climate Change


Governance


Guideline Components

Phase 1

Feasibility Study

Phase 2 Formalization Procedure of

CBET Site

Phase 3 Formulation Sustainable

CBET Business

Phase 4 Sustainability Management

and Monitoring

Since community-owned and managed agro-ecotourism is only potentially feasible to develop in existing CBT/CBET sites in Northeastern Cambodia at present under support frameworks of environmental NGOs and specific government ministries, it is important that in order to be sustainable its planners and developers following the following guidelines:

Phase 1: Feasibility Study

1. General Poll

2. Resource Inventory

3. Stakeholders & Institutional

Analysis

4. Community Assessment

5. Market Assessment

Feasibility Methods

and Process

Phase 2: Formulation Procedure of CBET Site C

BET E

stab

lishm

ent

Step 1. Registration and Feasibility Study

Step 2. Zoning and Spatial Land Use Planning

Step 3. Establishment of CBET MC

Step 4. Formulation of By-Laws

Step 5. Formulation of Management Plan

Step 6. Stakeholders Endorsement and Implementation

Phase 3: Formulation of CBET Business Plan

Step 1: Envision CBET Business

Typology

Step 2: Develop vision and mission

statement

Step 3: CBET Enterprise Description

Step 4: Value chain and Green

supply management

Step 5: Consumer care

and quality management

plan

Step 6: Sale and marketing strategy

Step 7: Risk & crisis

management

Phase 4: Sustainability Management and Monitoring Plan

Step 1: Environmental & Biodiversity Conservation

Step 2: Visitor Management

Step 3: Community/Indigenous Empowerment

Step 4: Community/Indigenous Capacity Development

Step 5: Contribution to Community Welfare & Social Inclusion

Step 6: Respect of community/indigenous culture

Step 7: CBET Business Sustainability

Conclusion �  With abundant natural and cultural resources as well as diversity, authenticity, and

uniqueness of current on-farm and off-farm activities, supportive existing policies

and stakeholders’ support, Northeastern Cambodia have strong potential for

developing agro-ecotourism.

�  Although agro-ecotourism is not a remedy to every development context in the region,

it can be developed into three different scenarios with its general principles and

specific guidelines to follow, while its flexibility and adaptability as either an

environmental, an economic stimulus, or community empowerment and stakeholder

engagement tool should be taken into serious account by actual developers /

planners / implementers in the areas.

�  To develop agro-ecotourism in Northeastern region in a timely and sustainable

manner, it strongly requires practical agro-ecotourism policy endorsed by the

responsible agencies, an integrated ecosystem-based land and resource use planning

and management, effective and efficient stakeholder engagement mechanisms, and

specific sustainable indicators as prerequisites to its implementation.

Thanks for Your Attentions!