Agriculture minister Dith Tina visits the ministry’s organic vegetable sale on Valentine’s Day. Heng Chivoan
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina lauded the success of the agriculture ministry’s Valentine’s Day special sales promotion of high-quality local produce.
The ministry exhibited and sold healthy, safe vegetables on February 14 in front of its headquarters, in order to provide people with the chance to purchase healthy gifts for loved ones, as well as to offer networking and sales opportunities for producers and vendors.
Speaking to reporters following a visit to the exhibition, Tina said that purchasing and giving agricultural products to one another was a wonderful expression of love and also a great way to support local, natural products. The exhibition featured nearly 20 agricultural products from across the country.
He urged producers to utilise handmade Khmer-style packaging, as it can be both attractive and profitable.
“For example, some places use bamboo to package domestic goods. If goods are packed in industrial plastic wrapping, it costs us profit, as the costs of packaging increase,” he explained.
Soy Somaly, a 45-year-old representative of the Khmer Community Shop in Siem Reap province, said the exhibition was a great event, as it provided an opportunity for farmers from remote areas to promote their fruit and vegetables. More importantly, it allowed the public to learn more about the high quality produce that is available, cultivating future support.
She noted that many of the visitors to the exhibition were confident in the products they bought, and appeared unworried about any possible health risks.
“In addition, when they buy fruit or vegetables for their family members or loved ones as a gift, it is far more practical than a bunch of flowers that will do nothing but wither,” she said.
“We were all happy to receive the support of the ministry. I hope that more and more people buy locally produced fruit and vegetables, whether from my organisation or others. I want more Cambodians to support the vegetables grown by the Kingdom’s farmers, rather than buying imported goods,” she added.
Im Rachna, agriculture ministry spokesperson, explained that this was the second time the ministry has run the one-day event.
“This event was an opportunity for people to buy beautifully presented food parcels. They were packaged like floral wreaths, making them ideal Valentine’s Day gifts for loved ones,” she said.
This year’s event boasted even more options than last years, with dried fruit, chocolate-dipped fruits, and cereals joining the selection.
“This year was far bigger. Last year, we exhibited and sold only vegetables, but this time we introduced other products from different sub-sectors of the Kingdom’s agricultural industry,” said Rachna.
She added that the main purpose of the exhibition was to turn the attention of the general public to Khmer agricultural products. Even if they didn’t buy anything at the event, their awareness of what is now available will have increased.
Rachna encouraged the public to support local farmers by choosing healthy food products, not only as romantic gifts but also for their parents and other loved ones.
