General Sao Sokha, the deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and commander of the National Military Police. Supplied
General Sao Sokha, the deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and commander of the National Military Police, has introduced strategies to allow Military Police officers to raise animals and plant vegetables at units and homes to further their living standards amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
He made the remarks on Friday at a meeting to review the work of the Military Police during the first semester and set goals and action plans for the second semester of this year.
In a Facebook post, the National Military Police said: “Each military personnel has to raise animals such as chickens, ducks and vegetables. In this sense, they further their living standards when fighting against Covid-19.”
Military Police spokesman Eng Hy told The Post on Sunday that the campaign’s introduction was to increase food production in the units. Military Police officials can plant crops and raise animals at any homes or units that have enough land.
“The strategy could serve the demands of their families and units. Those who have land can plant vegetables. Every time, we introduce special plans, they are always implemented successfully,” he said.
Kampong Chhnang provincial Military Police deputy commander Hang Socheat told The Post on Thursday that since the establishment of Military Police stations in districts in the province, its officers had raised chickens and planted vegetables to feed their respective units.
“The provincial Military Police commander has always allowed land to be expanded for us to grow crops. This month is the dry season. Water is scarce in each unit. Some officials even buy water from others to use. So, we have no water to irrigate crops.
“Once we grow a small amount of dill, mint, garlic and lemongrass near the unit, we can get by on them. But when the water returns, a unit can grow spinach, cabbages and papayas regularly in seven districts in the town without fail. The food is sufficient.”
He said Sokha had always allowed the units to pursue their occupations and grow crops simultaneously. “So, we can further the work in the units by raising pigs or cows.”
