Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 20 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet underlined that despite the world facing a series of crises that have adversely impacted the kingdom's socio-economic situation, the nation's agricultural sector remains resilient and plays a pivotal role in alleviating economic tensions. It particularly ensures food security, mitigating the risk of a food crisis and inflation.

The premier spoke on Monday morning (Nov. 20) while announcing the 5th and 6th priority policy programs of the seventh-mandate Royal Government at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

"Undoubtedly, the food crisis is not a hypothetical problem. In recent years, we witnessed the crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the largest wheat exporter. This significantly affected food prices, especially in developed countries heavily reliant on these raw materials," the premier underscored.

"At the ASEAN Summit, concerns were raised about the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, potentially affecting global food production, leading to shortages and price increases. While many countries grapple with this crisis, Cambodia has ensured food security. According to the Minister of Agriculture's report, we have a surplus. In the last ten months, we exported 6.2 million tons," the premier added.

Samdech Thipadei added that Cambodia's food security and surplus of agricultural products for export demonstrate not only the nation's abundant natural resources and fertile soil but also the wise leadership, effective management, and implementation of the right policies. These policies include ending war, demining agricultural land, and providing tax exemptions for agricultural land.

According to the report from the Minister of Agriculture, Dith Tina, as of the beginning of November 2023, rice cultivation has reached over 3.6 million hectares, yielding 6.2 million tons.
=FRESH NEWS