Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon called on the public to take control of their own lifestyles and make healthier choices. People should be more active and pay close attention to the crops they grow and the animals they raise. Good public health is essential to improved food security, living standards and development, he said.

Speaking during a May 15 working visit to Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum provinces, Sakhon said health was a key factor for learning, participation in social activities and economic development, and for the happiness of families.

“People must strive to take care of their health through clean living, eating and drinking. They should get regular exercise and must reduce consumption off three things – fat, sugar and salt,” he said.

Meas Piseth – ministry undersecretary of state and head of the Agriculture Services Programme for Innovation, Resilience and Extension (ASPIRE) – requested on May 12 that vegetable and fruit analysis officials in 24 provinces should pay increased attention to pesticide residue testing.

This proposal was made at the closing ceremony of the “Using test kits and quality analysis of vegetables and fruits” training course, held at the Centre for Quality Control and Distribution of Safe Vegetables of the Kandal provincial agricultural department.

Piseth said the testing was very important and must be carried out fastidiously in order to engage with the public and earn their trust.

“When we eat unhealthy foods, it affects more than just our physical health. It can lead to poor mental health and an unhappy family life. Of course as we get older, we face even more health challenges,” he said.

He said when people eat nutritious food, it makes them healthier and smarter, which means the country will have better human resources with which to develop itself.

Bun Tuon Simona, director of the Kandal provincial agriculture department and deputy head of the ASPIRE programme, said the training aimed to support a safe vegetable production chain, increase the trust of producers and suppliers, and ensure the safety of consumers.