The construction of the Lum Hach irrigation and drainage system in Kampong Chhnang province’s Boribor, Teui Phos and Rolea Ba’ier districts has been completed and can provide water to 3,289ha of land.

Dok Bunthon, director of the provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, said on July 17 the system was ready for people to use. But due to the Covid-19 outbreak, an official inauguration ceremony could not be held.

The irrigation system is comprehensive and is not only for use by farmers but also the 1,000 families that live in the districts, he said.

According to Bunthon, the project includes a headwork, an intake, a 16.4km concrete canal, and 42.5km of lined canals. There are also 15 drainage canals with a length of 52.9km and 62km of third-level canals.

“Actually, the infrastructure is complete, including dams, main canals, sub-canals and irrigation canals, but we continue to promote agriculture because now water is plentiful and can provide good yields for farmers,” he said.

Bunthon noted that if people grow non-seasonal rice, they can have two harvests per year.

“Rainy season rice needs six months, but non-seasonal rice only takes three. It is also not difficult to harvest because we use machine. There is also no problem with drying the rice because buyers want to dry it themselves. So, harvest and weigh it then we can cultivate again,” he said.

Bunthon said this is part of the government’s efforts to promote the national policy on food security and its rice export strategy in the face of climate change.