Newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina has begun his field visit to assist farmers in flood-afflicted provinces, two days after taking the helm of the ministry.

Tina kicked off his mission on October 19 along with Kun Kim, first vice-president of the National Committee for Disaster Management, in Kratie province, where they handed out rice and other crop seeds to people affected by the rains and floods.

When he officially took office on October 17, Tina said his first priority would be to assist victims and lessen the impact of floodings, which have damaged rice and other cash crops across the country, in collaboration with all relevant institutions.

Tina said that distributing rice seeds and crop varieties to farmers is an urgent task to ensure that they can restore their livelihoods timely when flood water recedes.

The new minister will continue his mission to neighbouring Tbong Khmum and other provinces hit hard by floods.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that he will visit Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pursat and Kampong Chhnang provinces in the coming days to meet with flood victims.