Agri-Supply Chain in Tourism Market: A Case Study of Koh Trong Ecotourism Community and Market in Kratie Province

Abstract

Stable supply of agricultural products into tourism business is a key for the both sectors to sustainably grow together; however, rural farmers still face challenges in effectuating such a goal. The current research addresses how agri-supply chain exists in tourism market and issues on such a chain in Cambodia through a case study in Northeastern Region. The triangulation methods were employed. Surveys were conducted on farmers, hotels/restaurants and vegetable sellers, whereas semi-structured interviews were done with middlemen, community chiefs, NGOs and local authorities. The farms of Koh Trong are operated with family labors. Most farmers do not have advanced knowledge on farming techniques. Little pesticides are applied, while chemical fertilizers are most commonly used. Most vegetables and fruits are shipped from Koh Trong by middleman across the Mekong River to town market, where they meet with the customers, hotels and restaurants. While middlemen are the price setters, farmers are the price takers. Tourism market consumes less than half of the total vegetables produced by Koh Trong farmers. Besides, agri-products are brought in from other places and imported from Vietnam. Koh Trong responds fairly little to the market demand. Small-scale farms of Koh Trong are less competitive in terms of product variety; however, they are more competitive in terms of high quality and unique products. Major issues affecting the supply chain include limited knowledge, limited transportation, supply irregularity, limited market access and imbalanced power among chain actors. Tourism is yet a small market for agri-products from Koh Trong, but implies a potential one. While conventional supply chain is adequate, there is a barrier to overcome in making the chain more equitable for all market actors.