In the past few weeks, a significant step forward in forest and biodiversity conservation in Cambodia was celebrated with an inauguration ceremony for the High-Value Tree Species Breeding Center (“the Cambodia Breeding Center”) in Phnom Penh. The establishment and operation of the Breeding Center is the centerpiece deliverable of the APFNet-funded project “Establishment of a High-Value Tree Species Breeding Center in Cambodia” (“the Project”), which aims to help conserve forest germplasm resources, especially those of local high-value tree species, and improve plant breeding capacities and abilities. The ceremony, held at the Institute of Forest and Wildlife Research and Development (IRD), drew around 200 high-ranking representatives and guests, including Cambodian government officials, local community leaders, and international project partners.

Ribbon cutting for the Breeding Center. Photo: IRD. 

Mr. Ung Som Ath addresses the ceremony. Photo: IRD. 

Mr. Keo Omaliss addresses the ceremony. Photo: IRD.  

Mr. Keo Omaliss, the Director General of the Forestry Administration of Cambodia introduced the Project to the guests and updated them on its progress. He stressed that "the Project has been contributing to the achievement of the National Agriculture Development Policy (ADP) 2022-2030 by supporting research on species breeding and modernization of nurseries to promote reforestation, conservation of forest genetic resources, and improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent-people, especially local communities near the Project area”.

Dr. Lu De, Executive Director of APFNet, appreciated the long-lasting and deep cooperation with and strong support from the Cambodian counterparts. “The Breeding Center supports research and breeding programs for various high-value tree species and serves as a shelter for valuable forest genetic resources. Today, we are not just inaugurating a facility, but are planting seeds for a greener and more sustainable future, and promoting green development in the Greater Mekong Subregion,” he stressed. 

Guests visit the Breeding Center Photo: Zhang Shiyi, APFNet.

The Breeding Center covers 1,755 square meters, consisting of (1) an 806.4m2 renovated greenhouse nursery, equipped with the latest Venlo glass structure, electrical sunshade systems, an insect-proof net, an irrigation system, and a power distribution system, allowing finely modulated conditions for breeding work and seedling production; and (2) a two-storey building that houses auxiliary facilities and office spaces, and stores materials of tissue culture. The breeding work will soon focus on the reproduction of high-value tree species, including Makha (Afzelia xylocarpa), Burmese Rosewood (Dalbergia oliveri), Siamese Rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), Burma Padauk(Pterocarpus macrocarpus), Vietnamese Sindora (Sindora cochinchinensis), Indonesian Evergreen Tree (Altingia excelsa), and Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album), through both asexual methods like tissue culture and cutting, and seed-based sexual reproduction. The Breeding Center, capable of producing over 100,000 seedlings annually, will facilitate the collection and propagation of 100 local species.

The two-storey building of the Breeding Center (left) and the Greenhouse

nursery (right). Photo: ZhangShiyi, APFNet.

New laboratory devices are equipped for 

the Breeding Center. Photo: Zhang Shiyi, APFNet.  

The Project also serves as an exchange and cooperation platform for personnel, scientific research, and technology development. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Southwest Forestry University of China and the Institute of Forest and Wildlife of Cambodia to promote cooperation in research and capacity  development in the forest sector.

The MoU signing between Southwest Forestry University, China, and IRD took place

under the witness of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Cambodia. Photo: Zhang Shiyi, APFNet.

About the project

The "Establishment of the High-Value Tree Species Breeding Center Project" is supervised by the Cambodian Forestry Administration and implemented by the IRD, with technical support from the Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, China. The project was initiated in 2020, spanning eight years, with a budget of USD 6.86 million, to which APFNet contributes approximately USD 5.40 million. The project includes four components: (1) Conducting the collection of forest germplasm resources, establishing nurseries and forest demonstration bases, and promoting the systematic conservation of Cambodia's forest planting resources; (2) Establishing a breeding center for precious tree species, focusing on the protection and seedling cultivation of rare and endangered tree species; (3) Conducting technical training on tissue culture seedling production and greenhouse management, ex-situ conservation of rare plants, and afforestation of valuable timber tree species to enhance the capacity of Cambodian forestry personnel in protecting and cultivating forest germplasm resources; and (4) Building eco-farm accommodations, developing demonstration eco-tourism, improving community livelihoods, and promoting the conservation of natural resources. With the completion of the high-value tree species breeding center, the project will stand as a catalyst for positive change, paving the way for a shelter for valuable forest genetic resources conservation.

For more information about the project, please visit https://www.apfnet.cn/Home/Projects-en/ProjectFacts/4379.html.