In the last nine years, Ra Thorng has been assigned as the Program Coordinator of Mekong Institute an intergovernmental organization based in Thailand. He leads food safety and food security trainings and campaigns on the Promoting Safe Food for Everyone (PROSAFE) project under the Mekong Institute, Cambodia. The five-year project provides training and support for Mekong countries, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam, targeting government officials on agriculture and food safety as well as private sectors. The capacity building programs also allow Ra Thorng to work closely with government agencies, business and private sectors, universities, NGOs to strive for a collective action in strengthening national food safety system and improving horticulture value chain through various activities, include research, consultancy, training and advocacy.

“In Mekong countries, particularly Cambodia, food safety is a priority. Food safety aims for protecting public health. An international standardized food safety excels our food enterprise to thrive in the regional market.”

Due to the urgency on improving food safety in his country, Ra Thorng strives to keep upgrading his knowledge on food and agriculture related issues. He holds a Master’s degree (MSc) in Natural Resources Management and Rural Development from Cambodia University. Proofing his excellence, he received fellowship grants in several countries such as Japan, Israel, China and the Netherlands, to name a few. Particularly from the Dutch government, he was selected three times through Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP). He joined the training on food sector at Wageningen University and Research.

Studying in the Netherlands have brought him significant developments. It allowed him to grow professionally, equipped him with knowledge in research, designing as well as implementing agricultural development projects, and other capacity building to support food safety initiatives in Cambodia. The program opens a larger network and exposure, thus he was able to engage with multi stakeholders that enable further collaboration.

“The Dutch agricultural sector is diverse and sophisticated. By engaging with colleagues, my professors, and specialists, OKP also broadened networks and opened more opportunities for collaboration in establishing a food safety culture in Cambodia.”

The knowledge and experiences he gained from studying in the Netherlands urged Ra Thorng to also bring changes for communities in Cambodia. He managed to develop and implement post-training outreach project and activities to improve safe food practices. Under his supervision, 140 public and private sector representatives who completed the training on food safety claiming to have better understanding of food safety management. They have, in turned, transferred that knowledge to nearly 6,000 more Cambodians by deploying local trainings and information-raising campaigns. These have resulted to enhanced policy reforms, high media attention, and stricter business compliance of food safety and quality standards.

Ra Thorng understood that a very well-maintained food safety in the Netherlands and EU is managed under a strong control system and regional regulatory policies. Such reflection motivates him to adopt such systems and policies within his trainings and other dialogue platforms.

Working in food safety improvement is not always in ease for Ra Thorng. He was first lack on expertise and skill in advocacy. Joining the OKP trainings, have upgraded his confidence so he can be more effective as a development worker. However, he wishes for more Cambodians to study in the Netherlands so they can be equipped to advance agricultural technologies and sophisticated agricultural systems. He expects for many more Cambodians, especially young agripreneurs to be knowledgeable and having skills to produce safe and high-quality foods to meet the market demand and at the same time know how to protect the environment.

“As young agricultural professional, you need to work hard, pay attention, and learn as much as you can from others, so you can help your community and country”.