Siem Reap’s Melons in Great Demand in the Kingdom
The Siem Reap Meanchey Melon Association is supplying melons for malls and supermarkets nationwide with up to 3 tons of fruit being transported daily to multiple destinations across the country.
- By Isa Rohany
- October 9, 2023 5:10 PM
SIEM REAP – The Siem Reap Meanchey Melon Association is supplying melons for malls and supermarkets nationwide with up to 3 tons of fruit being transported daily to multiple destinations across the country.
Its president, Vann Ean, said that the association buys melons from its members depending on the customers’ orders, which vary from 500 kilograms to 3 tons.
He said melons are being supplied to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Sihanoukville and most of the country’s provinces. Ean said the association focuses on growing sweet melons, yellow honeydew and muskmelons.
Currently, 315 families in Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap are members of the association, while there were only 27 members in 2011 when it was founded.
In the meantime, the association received support from iDE, an NGO that provided members with technical training support and guidance during the growing process.
Ean said that in order to maintain product quality and quantity and compete with imported products, farmers need to follow the market’s demand.
“Customer’s demand dictates farmer’s production. Now, customers want yellow honeydew and muskmelons. So, we plant throughout the season,” he said.
He added that family members receive local support from heads of teams who provide help and share good practices in each area where the association is located.
According to Vann Ean, yellow honeydew can grow in most parts of the provinces where the association is established, but some districts have better soil than others.
In Oddar Meanchey province, the districts of Samrong, Anlong Veng, and Trapeang Prasat stand out, while in Beantey Meanchey province, yellow honeydew grows best in Angkor Borei and Thmor Puok districts.
In the province of Battambang, Rattanak Mondul and Kamrieng districts see the best conditions for growing melons, while only some areas of Pailin province are suitable for it.
For Siem Reap, it can be grown in Puok Sotr Nikum, Chi Kreng and Angkor Thom districts.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Nhor Sokhoeurn for Cambodianess.
