• Society

Water shortages: Farmers in Pursat and Kampong Chhnang Told to Stop Growing Rice 

• By Chhum Chantha
• January 5, 2024 8:10 PM

PHNOM PENH – Farmers in Pursat and Kampong Chhnang provinces have been told not to plant rice for the dry season due to concerns over water shortage​ as the number of rice fields has exceeded the plan. 

In its instruction dated Jan. 3, the Pursat Administration said that the irrigation plan for ‘dry season rice cultivation 2023-2024’ set the area for cultivation for only 20,000 hectares but the actual area for rice cultivation has reached 46,341 hectares as examined by the provincial department of agriculture. 

To address the issue, the provincial authority has instructed citizens to halt dry rice cultivation for a second time from January to May 2024 and to prepare for water storage in ponds, wells, and canals for daily use and animal use.

The administration also warned that it could not be held responsible if the region ran out of water due to farmers' failure to follow provincial guidelines.

Additionally, farmers may eventually lose water for their daily use if they use wells to water the rice fields, it said.

Similarly, on Jan. 5, the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology issued a warning to farmers in the Achang irrigation system and the upper part of the Chrey Bak river area.

The department said that the current water flow cannot support a second harvest at this time of the year, instructing farmers not to plant rice while the rainy is over.

Like every year, the amount of water available can only support small areas of dry rice farming land.

Hai Thura, the director of the Pursat Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, said that farmers are rushing to grow more rice than usual and expand their cultivation plots because they see that the buy-back price on the markets is attractive.

“Most farmers when seeing the rice price go up, rush to grow. While some places had never done rice farming in the dry season before, they did it this year. Even if there is no water source for irrigation in the area, or only a little water left, they would still try to do it,” he said, urging farmers to take into account the ministry’s forecast and cultivation guidelines for the upcoming dry season.

Pursat province still lacks about 3 million cubic meters of water per year for rice cultivation. Hai Thura hopes that the issue will be eased when two dams with a capacity of 600 million meter cubic are completed, providing enough water to farm in both the dry and rainy seasons.

In 2022, Pursat residents cultivated about 40,000 hectares more than the provincial instructions. However, the many storms and heavy rains that took place at the beginning of the year ensured sufficient water supply for the dry season. But such storms didn’t happen at the end of 2023.

Im Rachna, the spokesperson of the Agriculture Ministry, said on Jan. 5 that the rising price of rice is one of the factors that led to the increasing total area for rice cultivation. The current price for wet rice is up to 1,300 riels per kilogram, she said.

She said that water supply is not only for farming purposes but also for other daily needs while urging farmers to consider water supply before planting their rice.

“In case of water shortage, the government, ministry and other authorities will facilitate the supply and ensure that the water will be distributed equally for all people,” she said. 

Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology predicts that Cambodia may experience heat up to 41 degrees and less rainfall for the upcoming dry season. 

Temperatures will rise steadily from February to early May and could reach 38 degrees in April and May with peaks expected to go over the 40-degree mark.

The Ministry calls on relevant institutions, local authorities, and the public to try to save as much water as possible, especially in remote rural areas. 

It also warns it expects thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds in April and May.

Chhuon Kongieng contributed to the story.