Phnom Penh (FN), Sep. 10 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Modern Agriculture Community under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and expressed a desire to conduct an on-site inspection.

The premier spoke on Tuesday (Sep. 10) during the 7th Cambodia Rice Forum, held in Phnom Penh under the theme, ‘Transforming the Cambodia Rice Supply Chain to be Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable’.  

"Regarding the development of the modern agricultural community, I have observed the process and seen the Ministry of Agriculture promote and test various methods. One day, I would like to personally inspect the construction of net houses and assess how we can further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our initiatives," the premier underscored.

Samdech Thipadei added that this policy has been actively implemented, supported by a USD 100 million financing program for agricultural balance through the Rural Development Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture. Since March 2024, the project has been underway with an initial budget of USD 40 million, already achieving USD 28 million in targets, with additional funding planned for the upcoming rainy season harvest.

The premier further noted that, so far, the development of modern agricultural communities has expanded to nearly 2,000 hectares in the first phase, and there are plans for continued growth. Although the investment is substantial, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile.

Premier Hun Manet also mentioned that the Royal Government has been promoting the development of irrigation systems, including the construction of dams and canals. He announced that in November, a new dam will be inaugurated in Mondulkiri province, with a capacity to store about 1.2 million cubic meters of water, which will benefit local farmers through improved irrigation systems.

It should be noted that under the 7th mandate, the Royal Government launched a policy program to develop modern agricultural communities. This initiative envisions large-scale agricultural production and aims to transform Cambodia’s agricultural sector from small-scale family farming into a robust agricultural economy with greater integration, economies of scale, and competitiveness in both quantity and quality. The program is expected to enhance farmers' living standards and improve sustainable, environmentally friendly production methods.
=FRESH NEWS