Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Preah Vihear aims to usurp organic produce top ranking

Preah Vihear aims to usurp organic produce top ranking

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Preah Vihear provincial governor Kim Rithy at a recent press conference. PREAH VIHEAR ADMINISTRATION

Preah Vihear aims to usurp organic produce top ranking

Preah Vihear provincial governor Kim Rithy said his province has the potential to become the Kingdom’s largest producer of organic agricultural export products. Agriculture is the backbone of the provincial economy, making up more than 80 per cent of its earnings.

Rithy was addressing a March 23 press conference on the province’s achievements of the past five years, held at the Council of Ministers.

He said 99,120ha of rainy season rice was cultivated in 2022, more than the 91,200ha that had been planned. 283,743 tonnes of rice was harvested from 94,063ha, with an average yield of 3,017 tonnes per hectare.

In particular, for the cultivation of different plantations, a total of 63,434ha of agro-industrial crops and fruit were planted, equivalent to 90.87 per cent of the planned 69,805ha. Long-term fruit crops were grown on 7,201ha, accounting for 72.54 per cent of the target. Industrial crops were produced on 38,318ha, equal to 96.68 per cent of the target, and long-term industrial crops were grown on 17,125ha, equal to 95.10 per cent.

“Preah Vihear has 43 farming communities, with a total of about 10,000 households. With the coordination of the Agricultural Community Development Office, they are registered as agricultural cooperatives with the provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,” he said.

“Organic paddy rice, organic cassava, and organic cashew nuts are the major activities of these cooperatives,” he added.

Provincial agriculture department director Peung Tryda said the province produces high-quality organic rice, and has agreements in place with numerous businesses to buy paddy rice.

“The people of Preah Vihear are very happy during harvest season because of these contracts. It means that before they plant their rice, they already have a market, so they are not worried that they will harvest their rice and then have to find buyers,” he explained.

Tryda said that in addition to rice, the province also produces significant crops like cassava, which have been produced more and more in recent years. Last year, farmers cultivated more than 30,000ha, while the year prior just 20,000 of cassava was grown.

“As of the third week of March, cassava chips were selling for more than 900 riel per kilogramme, a 10-year high. This is a great indicator that this year’s market will be a success,” he added.

In addition to cassava, he said 20,000ha of cashew plantations have been established.

“Cashews are currently selling for a respectable price of 5,000 to 6,000 riel per kg [$1.20 to $1.50]. In addition to these significant commodities, the province grows bananas and rubber, both of which have a positive impact on people’s livelihoods,” he concluded.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm