Minister of Agriculture to Supply Rice Seeds for Flood-hit Farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture is ready to distribute seeds to farmers to restore rice and other crops after the water from recent flooding recedes. Photo: Ministry of Agriculture
- By Chhum Chantha
- October 4, 2023 1:01 PM
PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Agriculture is ready to distribute seeds to farmers to restore rice and other crops after the water from recent flooding recedes.
Floods have destroyed crops in some districts in 10 provinces, including Kampong Thom, Tbong Khmum, Sihanoukville, Preah Vihear, Battambang, Kratie, Pursat, Kampong Cham, Pailin and Kandal.
Im Rachana, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, said the ministry would analyse the impact of the flooding and respond accordingly.
“However, the impact on rice and other crops is not as severe as in 2022,” Rachana said.
“The ministry is ready to supply seeds from our food reserve systems for farmers.
“Although the ministry has food reserve systems, none of us has yet been able to determine how much we could supply to vulnerable farmers.”
Yang Saing Koma, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, said Cambodia had prepared reserve seeds in a production area called “Prey Phdau” to assist farmers affected by natural disasters.
In addition to six seed production areas, Cambodia has collaborated with other seed producer communities. All of these food reserve systems can have a significant impact when the need arises.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess
