Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Tina draws farmer support with visits to flooded fields

Tina draws farmer support with visits to flooded fields

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Agriculture minister Dith Tina meets with farmers in Chamnom commune of Banteay Meanchey province’s Mongkul Borei district on October 22. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Tina draws farmer support with visits to flooded fields

Since taking the helm of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on October 19, Dith Tina has toured several flood-afflicted provinces and distributed much-needed rice and other crop seeds to farmers.

Starting out in Kratie, Tbong Khmum, Kampong Cham and Siem Reap provinces, Tina directly inspected farmers’ inundated fields and learned first-hand about the use of fertilisers on the farmland being restored. He instructed Ngin Chhay, head of the ministry’s General Directorate of Agriculture, to arrange technical guidance for farmers to ensure that they are able to obtain the maximum yield from the seeds they have been gifted.

From Siem Reap, Tina travelled to neighbouring Banteay Meanchey province where he also stopped by Mongkol Borei district’s Chamnoam commune to inspect rice germination, explain cultivation techniques and get a better understanding of the circumstances of the farmers who are rehabilitating their rice fields there.

Samneang, a farmer in Chamnoam commune, was among the villagers who met Tina in person during the field visit. She was joyful upon learning that the young man she was speaking with was the newly-minted agriculture minister, though she was not gifted with fresh rice seed like the other farmers.

“I saw people coming together and heard that a high-ranking official was visiting, but I did not know that he was the new minister. I am very pleased that he came to visit us in person – it is important for him to understand what the realities on the ground are for himself,” she said.

Samneang was more fortunate than many of the other farmers in the commune, as she had harvested her rice before the floods struck.

Mao Mouy, a farmer with more than 2ha of rice fields, followed the minister’s field visit to the commune closely.

Mouy said the tour was an excellent sign, though he was reserved when asked for comment on Tina’s performance as the new minister.

“Let’s give him some time before we evaluate him, as he has only just taken office. Some people say that the minister is just acting, but he’s given me his phone number. I’m waiting to see if he continues to work as hard as he is now. If he slows down, or it looks like he’s just pretending to be concerned for us, I will call him directly and ask him what is going on,” he said.

In addition to farming, Mouy works as a motor-taxi driver to support his family – especially his children, who are studying at university. He said his household income had decreased due to flood-induced damages to his paddy fields.

He said that if there were no droughts or floods, his rice yield would support his family and he would even have a surplus of rice which he could sell. He is relieved to hear that the farmers are receiving the close attention of the nation’s agricultural leaders.

In front of Mouy and the assembled farmers of Chamnoam commune, Tina said he would monitor the progress of rice restoration in the commune closely and consistently.

After Banteay Meanchey, Tina was scheduled to continue his tour to other affected provinces, including Battambang, Pursat and Kampong Chhnang.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.