Agricultural experts advised farmers to try using rice transplanters, purpose-built machines which plant seeds and transplant seedlings. The machines reduce costs, save time and require less human labour, and are now manufactured in Cambodia and sold at affordable prices.

Ngin Hun, director of the Kampong Chhnang Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, told The Post the department had impressed farmers with a demonstration of the capabilities of the machines. The demonstration was carried out on 2ha of farmland in Kampong Os commune, Cholkiri district on December 27.

“Using a rice transplanter, we used just 40kg of seeds per hectare. When done by hand, the same area would require between 120 and 150kg,” he said.

He added that in addition to saving seed, the machines also save time and human labour. Planting one hectare took one person 30 minutes with a transplanter, whereas a labour force of 30-40 people would take a full day to accomplish the same results.

Chrek Kimchhean, a 56-year-old farmer from Kampong Os, told The Post that the demonstration had impressed her and her fellow villagers, but the cost of the machine was still an issue for them. She expected that many other rural farmers would also find the raising the necessary capital a barrier to ownership.

“According to the manufacturer, the cost is slightly more than $1,200 per unit. We would really like to use these machines, as they would save us a great deal of time and money, but as poor farmers, the cost is a bit expensive for us,” she said.

Sensing the interest of the farmers, San Bunika, director of Agri-Smart Cambodia, agreed to loan two of the machines to the farmers of the district. The machines would be available for one month from December 28, in time for the farmers to plant their dry season rice.

He told The Post that the transplanters were reasonably priced, at $1,250 per unit. The purchase price included free delivery and a six month mechanical warranty. Full training and instruction on how to produce seedlings would also be provided.

“We are really happy to hear that farmers want to try our rice transplanters. They reduce the amount of seed and fertilizer required, as well as requiring less labour and time. The rice will grow high and provide excellent yields,” he said.

Bunika added that seedlings can be transplanted when they are just two weeks old, which means the farmers of Kampong Os have time to grow seedlings and clear their fields before testing out his machines.

According to the provincial agriculture department, 85 per cent of this year’s planned dry season rice has been successfully planted.