CEDAC says the plan would see more than 230 tonnes of organic rice exported, boosting incomes of rural farmers in Cambodia

AFP

Organic rice is an increasingly popular alternative for farmers.

THE Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC) will export more than 230 tonnes of organic milled rice to Germany and America, Yang Saing Koma, president of CEDAC, told the Post on Thursday.

The shipments would include 200 tonnes to Germany for Rickmers Rice in November and another 30 tonnes to America for the Lotus Food Co early next year.

"We now have more than 600 tonnes of organic milled rice to sell locally and to export to Germany and the United States," Yang Saing Koma Koma said.

This year, CEDAC plans to buy about 2,000 tonnes of organic paddy rice, up from 1,200 tonnes it bought last year.

"We hope farmers will increase their production of organic paddy rice with market demand," Yang Saing Koma Koma said, adding: "The price we provide to farmers is always 10 to 20 percent higher than the market price."

Lim Virak, 45, a farmer in Prek Treng village in Prey Veng province said that in his village, organic paddy rice sold to other vendors at $250 per tonne, but his family and other villagers who sold to CEDAC received $300 per tonne.

"We expect CEDAC to provide a price that is about 20 percent higher than the market price," Lim Virak said.

He said that he and other villagers have grown organic paddy rice since 2004, after CEDAC taught them organic farming techniques.

"I am very happy if farmers produce organic rice crops," Phou Puy, president of the Rice Miller Association said.

"The organic husk rice is easier to sell, and sells at a higher price than husk rice that has been exposed to chemicals."