Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 30 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet issued nine recommendations to accelerate the development of Cambodia’s agricultural sector and enhance the competitiveness of the sector.
The premier spoke on Tuesday (Jan. 30) at the closing of the annual meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the Ministry.
The nine recommendations are as follow:
1. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must continue to cooperate with other ministries, institutions, sub-national administrations and other stakeholders to enhance the competitiveness of Cambodia's agricultural sector through regular monitoring and evaluation of market conditions and agricultural price trends, introducing appropriate and timely measures, conducting research and development for the production of pure seeds of good quality and high yield of both rice and vegetables for sufficient supply to farmers and processing and packaging of local food products to be hygienic, quality and safety in accordance with international standards.
2. Financing the agricultural sector is essential for promoting sustainable and environmental growth, especially the continued reduction of poverty and economic inequality. In this regard, the premier urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to cooperate with the Bank for Rural Development and Agriculture (ARDB), which has the Ministry of Economy and Finance as the financial guardian, to study and find sources of funding and other financial mechanisms that can be used to increase and expand credit to this important sector to improve productivity and promote the development of the entire agricultural value chain.
3. The premier urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and all relevant units to continue to strengthen the conservation of fishery resources, flooded forests and mangrove forests, especially the conservation of fish species, Mekong River dolphins and vulnerable fish species to continue to be more effective. He also encouraged people to support conservation work and take serious and timely legal action to crack down on crime. At the same time, it is necessary to promote the development of aquaculture in all forms, including encouraging private investment in aquaculture and processing to supply market demand, reduce imports and increase exports. At the same time, we must continue to strengthen the fishing community to have strong capacity for conservation work and modernize according to international practice.
4. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the sub-national administration must continue to promote the prevention and suppression of forest crime, wildlife and forest encroachment more effectively. The Capital-Provincial Unity Command shall work together to strengthen this work by using all necessary forces and means to investigate and clearly identify the masterminds and channels behind land encroachment and deforestation to be held accountable before the law enforcement. At the same time, it is necessary to increase afforestation, promote the afforestation industry and facilitate the import of wood products to supply domestic demand and provide various livelihood options for people who depend on the forest to reduce the pressure on forest resources.
5. Samdech Thipadei encouraged the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to continue to work with the Ministry of Environment to reduce the impact of climate change to ensure the sustainability and sustainability of agricultural development. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology shall cooperate to provide information on weather forecasts, especially floods and droughts, regularly and timely, as well as to study and build infrastructure to manage floods during the rainy season and store water for irrigation and use in dry season.
6. Relevant ministries and institutions and sub-national administrations must continue to provide good cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the registration of state lands such as economic land concessions, community forests, plantations, fishing communities and fisheries conservation areas to effectively prevent invasion, occupation and control.
7. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and relevant ministries and institutions must continue to promote institutional reform and human resource development to accelerate the development of the agricultural sector, especially to increase the capacity of national institutes and agricultural laboratories to support agricultural research and the establishment of a veterinary committee, which aimed at promoting the professional management of veterinary and animal husbandry.
8. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries shall study the need for human resources for research work in the agricultural sector, both quantitatively and qualitatively, based on the actual workload, job assignments, job descriptions, performance appraisals, policy formation, and information technology systems for human resource management, structural reform, functions and performance.
9. Meanwhile, 800 more commune agriculture officials will be recruited in 2024 and 550 in 2025 as planned. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries shall provide training to selected officials, and the sub-national administration, especially commune / sangkat authorities, must pay attention to addressing the accommodation and living conditions of the officials appropriately. In particular, for the development of modern farming communities, the Ministry must consider diverting some existing projects and mobilizing new projects to provide support to modern farming communities.
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