Australia is aiding Cambodian farmers in a bid to bolster their agricultural output.

A focal point of this endeavour is the enhancement of the skouy chicken breed, said the Australian embassy in Phnom Penh.

In its recent social media post, the embassy highlighted the popularity of the skouy breed, locally referred to as “morn srae”. It is particularly prized for its flavourful meat and its prolific egg-laying capabilities.

Through a distinct chicken genetics project, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is championing the maiden community breeding system for chickens in Cambodia.

The objective of this initiative, orchestrated by a coalition of local and international experts, is to evolve the skouy breed into one that offers more productivity. The aspiration is for the chicks of this enhanced breed to command a higher price in the market. To this end, the programme is investing in training farmers.

The areas of focus are breeding selection methods, efficient flock management, optimal feeding procedures, strategic vaccination and biosecurity measures, and the application of artificial insemination for hens.

The embassy conveyed it's optimism about the project's prospects.

“We hope the improved skouy breed will grace the market in the forthcoming years,” it said in the August 16 Facebook post.