Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Ministry reports damage from droughts and floods

Ministry reports damage from droughts and floods

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
About 67,000ha of paddy fields were damaged by floods and droughts last year. Hong Menea

Ministry reports damage from droughts and floods

Floods and droughts destroyed some 67,000ha of paddy fields in the Kingdom last year, resulting in minimal declines to yields and land available for cultivation, the Ministry of Agriculture reported on Monday.

Ministry spokesman Srey Vuthy joined a government press unit briefing on Monday to report the ministry’s achievements last year and its plans for 2020.

Vuthy noted that last year, 67,000ha of paddy fields were damaged by floods and droughts.

“A lot of damage was caused by droughts and floods,” Vuthy said, adding that inconsistent weather also led to diseases and insects destroying cassava crops.

These issues reduced the land available for cultivation by 0.2 per cent and rice yields by 0.54 per cent, he noted.

Nonetheless, he said the ministry still encouraged people to carry out farming and the raising of livestock because the situation was not dire and their hard work would help boost investment in the sector and exports of agricultural products.

Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community director Theng Savoeun said the Kingdom does not have any specific methods to help farmers during droughts or floods.

Although floods and droughts could not always be predicted, Savoeun said the authorities should be aware of the ongoing issue and build more ponds and irrigation systems to store water during the dry season.

The ministry, he said, should also source rice seeds for farmers capable of withstanding climate change.

“When raising animals, farmers need to think of which ones can best withstand harsh weather conditions. Currently, Cambodia imports meat from abroad and the Ministry of Agriculture should educate farmers on techniques and provide them with equipment,” he said.

Nhel Pheap, a representative of a farmer network in Takeo province, said on Monday that rice crops in the province did not have good yields last year because of long droughts and floods in some areas, as well as a lack of irrigation systems for farming.

He said the price of pesticide and fertilisers kept increasing while the price of rice is not stable, leading to some farmers leaving to find work outside the country.

“I call on the government to give loans to farmers to buy seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural items to help their farming work. Plus, help us find profitable markets for agricultural products, and most importantly, help us construct irrigation systems because there are not many in Takeo,” he said.

The ministry said 2.5 million hectares were cultivated last year, with nearly eight million tonnes of rice harvested. Nearly 50,000ha of industrial crops were planted, 9,000ha less than in 2018.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.