Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon (left) made the plea to South Korean ambassador to Cambodia Park Heung-kyeong at a meeting on the progress of Korean-sponsored agricultural projects. Photo supplied
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Wednesday asked South Korea to help set up wholesale markets in the Kingdom for domestic agricultural products in a bid to promote cultivation and open new markets for local farmers.
Minister Veng Sakhon made the plea to South Korean ambassador to Cambodia Park Heung-kyeong at a meeting on the progress of Korean-sponsored agricultural projects.
He said supporting infrastructure for the Kingdom’s agricultural sector, notably shade net houses and irrigation systems, has seen remarkable headway in recent years.
“I raised a number of propositions and suggestions for the ambassador’s consideration in establishing the wholesale markets for agricultural products – and above all, vegetables – in Phnom Penh and in potential provinces.
“I hope the Korean government will continue to back development of the [Kingdom’s] agricultural sector for it to further thrive in the future,” Sakhon said.
KCCV Plantation Co Ltd general manager Neth Angkea told The Post that Phsar Doeum Kor, Phnom Penh’s largest vegetable wholesale market, is woefully incapable of meeting the needs of the Kingdom’s budding safe vegetable market.
He said a Korean-backed agricultural products wholesale market would link the private sector with farmers and help them “find a market, boost confidence in crop production decisions to supply the market without the looming fear of a dearth of buyers”.
KCCV Plantation operates the Phsar Ahar Sovatthepheap supermarket – also known as Safety Food Store – in Chroy Changvar commune’s Village 3 in the capital’s northeast.
Bun Sieng, the founder of Natural Agriculture Village, a local vegetable wholesaler and distributor, welcomed and supported the initiative.
She said it will further help promote and create better market opportunities for Cambodian agricultural products, as people become more aware of what Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) entail for growers.
“I think it’ll make it easier for buyers and sellers given the very small-scale alternative available today that is Phsar Doeum Kor.
“Buyers will be more readily able to identify which vegetables are Cambodian and which are imported,” Sieng said.
Ministry spokesman Srey Vuthy told The Post in April that the Kingdom is expected to supply 716,113 tonnes of vegetables this year, accounting for 68 per cent of total demand, he said. The remaining 32 per cent must be imported from Vietnam and Thailand.
