Oxfam will launch its first project in Cambodia called Blockchain for Livelihood from Organic Cambodian Rice​ (BlocRice) on 15 November 2018 from 2-5pm at the Institut Francais du Cambodge.

This the first pilot project in Cambodia using blockchain technology to connect a network of people in the rice supply chain to ensure farmers are better and more fairly paid.

“Farmers gain collective bargaining power since agricultural cooperatives will be parties to the contracts,” said Solinn Lim, country director of Oxfam in Cambodia,” said Solinn Lim, Country Director, Oxfam.

The launch will give stakeholders and members of the press the opportunity to discuss and learn how blockchain could be an innovative technology to promote the commercial viability of organic rice and contribute to bettering the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.

For more information about BlocRice: https://cambodia.oxfam.org/BlocRice 

Download: Press release in Khmer

Contact information:

Naratevy Kek

+855 23 885 412; Naratevy.Kek@oxfam.org

Notes to editors:

BlocRice’s pilot project started in April 2018. The project is now testing to gain acknowledgement and recognition from all relevant stakeholders to build trust and improve the livelihoods of poor smallholder farmers.

The goal is to promote a “smart contract”, a three-way digital contract farming agreement between organic farmers, rice exporter and buyers in the Netherlands. The application of blockchain technology is expected to enhance the negotiation power of small-scale farmers in their rice value chains, who are usually poor primary producers.

Digital contracts linked to blockchain can be applied to influence people’s position in value chains and can set minimum standards (like access to inputs, purchase prices, wages, volumes, transport etc.) ensuring a living income and sustainable livelihood to people.

The BLOCRICE promotes the use of such digital contracts as tools for social and economic empowerment.