The US government has awarded the “Patent for Humanity” to Agri-Smart Cambodia for its innovative farming equipment, according to a press release on Tuesday.

The rice planting machine, dubbed “Eli”, helps farmers reduce seed consumption, increase yields and use less labour.

It is attached to walk-behind tractors and uses air pressure to spray rice grains over fields.

Agri-Smart managing director Bunika San who led the design team said as a farmer, he understands that Cambodian planters are experiencing a labour shortage.