Cambodia

Policies to Promote Environmentally Sustainable Practices

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Cambodia has established policies aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable practices in rubber cultivation, primarily governed by the Forest Law. This law prohibits the clearing of forests for commercial rubber cultivation without government approval, particularly under the Economic Land Concession (ELC) scheme. Companies granted permission must adhere to specific regulations, including maintaining buffer zones along water streams and protecting sacred forests for minority ethnic groups. Additionally, cultivation is restricted in protected areas, community forests, and permanently reserved forests to safeguard ecologically sensitive regions.

However, many essential policies regarding sustainable agricultural practices are still in the draft stage. Currently, the Law on Agricultural Pesticides and Fertilizers prohibits hazardous chemical inputs, but there is no active promotion of bio-fertilizers or biological pest control measures. Policies aimed at preventing soil erosion, maintaining soil quality, and promoting environmentally friendly practices in processing rubber are also under development. As Cambodia works on the draft Law on Rubber, it plans to address issues such as certification for sustainable practices, traceability of natural rubber, and biodiversity promotion, including initiatives for beekeeping and intercropping, while also encouraging the use of rubber wood to reduce pressure on forest timber.

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Policies to Promote Socially Sustainable Practices

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Cambodia is in the process of developing policies to promote socially sustainable practices in rubber cultivation, focusing on poverty alleviation and social upliftment. The government is working to establish Rubber Smallholders’ Cooperatives under the Law on Agriculture Cooperative and is promoting Rubber Processing and Marketing Centres in prioritized cultivation areas. Although these initiatives are not yet fully implemented, they aim to enhance the livelihoods of socially backward communities.

Additionally, the government encourages tribal communities to participate as labor forces for rubber companies, providing them with regular allowances, housing, and healthcare services. Sacred forest lands of these communities are also reserved to preserve their cultural heritage. While specific policies for empowering women in the rubber sector and ensuring labor welfare are still in the drafting stage within the Law on Rubber, current references in the Law on Affair outline the need for social security and safety measures in rubber processing factories to protect workers from health hazards.