PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Agriculture, Dith Tina, has set up a working group to promote and prepare a plan for the development and production of rice seeds in Cambodia. This decision was made after receiving the Minister received instructions from Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In a decision made on Thursday, 27 October, Minister Dith Tina appointed Chan Chesta as the chairperson of this working group, accompanied by 13 other members who are responsible for planning the development of rice seed production in Cambodia, which will help to reduce production costs for managing rice seeds throughout the stages of basic seed production, seed registration, and certification.

The working group will also be responsible for coordinating this work with the Rice Federation and other companies involved in the rice production sector in Cambodia, which includes studying and maintaining an inventory of the assets of the Agricultural Quality Improvement Project, and studying and evaluating the number of rice seeds to be supplied in the country.

Speaking at the distribution of rice seeds and food to more than 10,000 families in Battambang province on Monday, 24 October, Prime Minister Hun Sen reminded the Minister of Agriculture, Dith Tina, to look into ways of producing rice seeds locally, as the local production of rice seeds ensures security in the availability of local rice varieties in the future.