Phnom Penh - SNV Advisor Jan Lam has been awarded with the prestigious Chevalier Medal by the Prime Minister of Cambodia for his work as Chief Technical Advisor to the National Biodigester Programme (NBP).

The award was announced during the closing ceremony of the annual Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) progress and planning workshop on February 24 in Phnom Penh.

During the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry H.E. Mr. Chan Sarun announced the award of the Chevalier Medal for Mr. Lam’s support to the NBP since the establishment of the programme in 2005.

The medal will be presented to Mr. Lam with the honorable presence of the Prime Minister of Cambodia H.E. Mr. Samdech Hun Sen at the MAFF annual conference this April.

NBP Programme Coordinator Mrs. Lam Saoleng (pictured) was also awarded a Gold Medal during the ceremony, which was presented to her by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry, H.E. Om Kimsear  in recognition of her excellent efforts to improve the programme and ensure its benefits to the local people and poor communities.

 “MAFF is thankful to the programme, and wishes to see the biodigester programme expanded to the four provinces around Tonle Sap Lake soon,” Minister Sarun said during his visit to the NBP exhibition following the award ceremony.

The National Biodigester Programme was established in 2005 as a collaborative venture between MAFF and SNV. MAFF is the lead institution coordinating the programme while SNV plays an active role in providing advisory support to the programme. Following the excellent response from the Royal Government of Cambodia and other stakeholders, SNV will continue its support for the NBP in 2010, scaling up results significantly across 12 Cambodian provinces.