Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Siem Reap preps harvest of Cambodia’s first Sen Kra’op rice variation

Siem Reap preps harvest of Cambodia’s first Sen Kra’op rice variation

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Rice harvests of Sen Kra’op fragrant rice 01 (SKO 01) in Puok district of Siem Reap province. CRF

Siem Reap preps harvest of Cambodia’s first Sen Kra’op rice variation

The General Directorate of Agriculture on March 25 held a rice harvesting event to mark the first crop of Sen Kra’op fragrant rice 01 (SKO 01), which was grown on about 100ha in Puok district of Siem Reap province.

According to media reports, the event was co-sponsored by Tian Zhao Agricultural Technology Co Ltd, the Cambodian investment arm of a Chinese agriculture company.

Tea Kim Soth, director of the Siem Reap provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, told The Post on March 26 that the ceremonial rice harvesting event was held in collaboration with the company to help promote its sales to the public after the upcoming harvest is finished.

However, Kim Soth did not disclose the exact price the firm plans to charge farmers for the rice seeds.

Lun Yeng, secretary-general of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), who attended the ceremony, said in a social media post that the rice seeds are “ready for next season”.

However, Yeng did not provide details, saying it was still too early and referring reporters to Ngin Chhay, head of the General Directorate of Agriculture who could not be reached for comment.

Diya Norin, representative of the CRF in Siem Reap province who also attended the event, said the rice harvest ceremonial photo-op publicity event was held at a plantation owned by a Chinese company that leases farm land from Cambodian people to cultivate large-scale crops of rice.

“It was good to push for the production of the Sen Kra’op fragrant rice, because it will increase the reserves as farmers right now lack some rice varieties and this will encourage the use of good pure rice seeds,” he said.

The Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) – under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries – said it had released the Sen Kra’op rice variety to the public in 2019 and that it provided a high yield and was of good quality with long grains that are soft when milled.

The rice fetches a premium price at both local and international markets, he noted.

The ministry said that Sen Kra’op can be grown in any season and produces between four and five tonnes per hectare. Its grains are long, clear and transparent and it is widely considered to be of delectable taste.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.