Cambodia, Japan and WFP launch fortified rice initiative to improve nutrition of factory workers

With a USD1.5 million contribution from the Government of Japan, the five-year initiative is expected to reach more than 50,000 factory workers, in the garment and textile sectors across 118 factories in the Royal Group Phnom Penh and Kandal Special Economic Zones.

Officially launched at the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone, the project: “Breaking the Cycle of Malnutrition in Cambodia: Fortifying the Food Plate of Garment Factory Workers”, aims to address micronutrient deficiencies and enhance workers’ health and productivity.

“Japan is proud to support Cambodia in addressing malnutrition through practical and scalable solutions. By improving access to nutritious food for garment workers, this initiative contributes not only to better health outcomes, but also to stronger communities and a more resilient economy,” said Mr. MATSUDA Junsaku, Counsellor, Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

Cambodia’s garment sector is a key driver of economic growth, employing hundreds of thousands of workers. However, many, particularly women experience high rates of malnutrition, including anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies. Poor nutrition undermines health and wellbeing while also reducing productivity, income, and broader national development.

Through this initiative, WFP and its partners will introduce fortified rice into factory meal programmes, ensuring workers receive essential vitamins and minerals as part of their daily diets. As rice is Cambodia’s primary staple food, fortification offers a practical and cost‑effective approach to improving nutrition without altering established eating habits.

The project will work closely with factory owners, food suppliers, and national stakeholders to: 

• integrate fortified rice into workplace meal programme systems
• Strengthen supply chains and quality assurance for fortified foods
• Build capacity among producers and millers
• Raise awareness among workers on the benefits of improved nutrition  

“This project represents a crucial step toward improving the nutrition and wellbeing of Cambodia’s garment workers,” said Kyung-nan Park, WFP Representative and Country Director in Cambodia. “By integrating fortified rice into daily meals, we are helping workers access the nutrients they need to stay healthy, support their families, and contribute to Cambodia’s continued economic growth.” 

H.E. Pan Buntheoun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Planning (MoP), underscored the Royal Government of Cambodia’s support for the initiative: “This project reflects our commitment to the wellbeing of Cambodia’s workforce. By addressing malnutrition among garment workers, we are investing in their health, productivity, and the country’s future prosperity key foundations for sustainable national development.”

WFP will work with partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), alongside government institutions and private sector stakeholders, to ensure coordinated and sustainable implementation.

The initiative is expected to serve as a model for scaling up food fortification across Cambodia’s food systems, supporting national efforts to reduce malnutrition and promote inclusive economic growth.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

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