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In a joint effort to foster innovation and sustainability in Cambodia's agri-food sector, Giz Icone, a project by the German Agency for International Cooperation, and Eatable Adventures, a food-tech accelerator, have selected seven start-ups from around the globe. These start-ups are poised to enhance the agri-food value chain, boost economic growth and introduce high-value crops to northwest Cambodia. Agriculture plays a key role in Cambodia's economy, contributing approximately 22% to its gross domestic product and employing 30% of the nation's workforce. Despite this, only a small fraction of agricultural production undergoes processing locally, leading to most exported products being in their raw form. To address this gap, Giz Icone and Eatable Adventures have launched an international call to the food-tech start-up space, inviting innovative solutions to transform tropical fruit production, enhance agri-food global business relations and expand Cambodia's portfolio of premium products. Among the start-ups selected are: It's Fresh - based in the UK, this company specialises in ethylene control solutions, prolonging the shelf life of products and preserving their quality from farm to table. BNS (Bio Natural Solutions) - a Peruvian enterprise dedicated to creating natural solutions from agricultural waste to protect and disinfect fruits and vegetables. Bio2Coat - originating from Spain, this start-up aims to address food waste and plastic reduction through its natural coatings, extending the shelf life of perishables. GreenPod Labs - based in India, GreenPod Labs offers post-harvest solutions to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, focusing on active packaging technology. Tenbox - a Cambodian start-up, Tenbox provides a wholesale e-commerce platform, streamlining product sourcing for retail stores in the food and beverage sector. Unibaio - from Argentina, Unibaio has developed microparticles to enhance agricultural inputs, increasing effectiveness while reducing application doses. Qartbotech - hailing from Malaysia, Qartbotech uses nanotechnology to strengthen crops and improve yields through enhanced photosynthesis. This week, these start-ups showcased their innovative solutions at an event in Battambang, facilitating connections with local corporations and paving the way for the integration of new technologies into the Cambodian market. With agriculture being a cornerstone of the nation's economy, there is a pressing need to develop processing capabilities and introduce value-added products to enhance economic growth and global competitiveness.