BANTEAY MEANCHEY: Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina, is visiting the provinces this week to observe the current situation of rice production and to advise farmers and vendors on how to maximize profits and boost the agricultural economy.

After meeting with the Battambang governor and the owner of one of the area’s leading rice mills on September 10, Dith Tina and his delegation went on to meet with farmers in Banteay Meanchey on September 11. There, he advised farmers to plant pure rice varieties such as Phka Romduol (Cambodian Jasmine Rice) for the wet season and Sen Kro Ob (fragrant long-grain rice) for the dry season, as they demand higher prices, are nationally branded crops and have high market demand.

In addition to inspecting rice cultivation, the Minister of Agriculture also surveyed the situation along the border in terms of export and import strategy with a focus on what products farmers are producing for export. He said that the border inspection focuses on the four economic hubs of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pursat and Pailin provinces, all of which border Thailand

According to Banteay Meanchey’s Department of Agriculture, the cultivation of wet season rice crops has reached 100% of its yield plan of 768,725 tons for 2023, having planted 252,636 hectares and harvesting 226,745 hectares. Farmers expect to plant 52,399 hectares of rice for the upcoming dry season, equivalent to 238.18 % of the planned yield.