PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina, has said that the Ministry will set up a new production system focusing on domestic products and foreign markets, and will work with the Ministry of Commerce to further promote domestic agricultural products and open markets through various mechanisms.

Speaking at a press conference on "Concepts in the Field of Agriculture in Cambodia" held at the Office of the Council of Ministers on Thursday morning, 5 January, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina, confirmed that the new production system will be another important task for the Ministry to maintain in regard to the price stability of agricultural products in Cambodia. However, he added that a totally new structure within the agricultural sector will take longer to develop, and will require the participation of all stakeholders.

He said the creation of a new concept and structure for the agricultural sector will be in line with the policy of the Royal Government to improve the lives of farmers and reduce poverty in Cambodia.

"When we have a clear agricultural structure, not a national and state structure, but a private sector structure that includes farmers, traders and producers, we create number one organizations that are lively and adaptable to the market," he said.

"The farmers still have a mindset of walking alone easily and quickly, but if we plan to walk together, we will be able to walk a long way. This point is very important. When you walk alone, no one will help to lift you up, but if we walk together, we can help each other.”

The Agriculture Minister stressed that if the new production system is successful, it will be able to ensure a certain market stability, guaranteeing both quantity and quality, as well as high prices, especially to meet the needs of both domestic and foreign markets.

"Once the (new production system) is concrete, estimating market size will also be easier, and production planning will be clearer," he said. "So it is different from setting up a free market. If we let farmers decide for themselves what they want to grow, they will face the situation at harvest time and the market will change."

Minister Dith Tina also added that the Ministry of Agriculture will form a community federation that includes the supply of raw materials, production and transportation.