Cambodian farmers planted 1.9 million hectares of rice during the 1996 monsoon planting

season, according to an October 22 report in Agence Khmere de Presse (AKP).

Agriculture Minister Tao Seng Huor said planting increased by 324,340 hectares over

last year's planted crop. However, 25,200 hectares had been lost to floods in Kampong

Cham province, 48,000 hectares in Prey Veng and 9,200 hectares in Kandal with "thousands"

more lost in five districts in Takeo which border Vietnam.