Cambodia Transforms Cleared Minefields into Agricultural Hubs for Food Security and Poverty Reduction

Cambodia is taking a significant step towards transforming cleared minefields into agricultural development areas. On July 28, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries between the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, concerning cooperation to promote and develop the agricultural sector on land cleared of mines. The signing ceremony was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the CMAA, and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ditt Tina. Deputy Prime Minister Ly Thuch emphasized that minefields that have been cleared are not just about eliminating danger, but are also being transformed into productive land, contributing to strengthening food security, developing community economies, and reducing poverty. He stated that this is the practical implementation of the Royal Government's vision, which considers that "peace must be transformed into something that citizens can live on," meaning transforming peace into safe land, employment, food security, and a better livelihood for the people. Deputy Prime Minister Ly Thuch also expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate, and Samdech Maha Povor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister, for their visionary leadership and high attention to the agricultural sector and humanitarian mine action activities, placing the well-being and livelihoods of the people at the core of national development. Deputy Prime Minister Ly Thuch affirmed that this MOU links mine action with the agricultural sector to transform land previously threatened by mines and explosive remnants of war into safe land for planting, cultivation, and income generation. The CMAA will be responsible for clearing the land to ensure safety, while the Ministry of Agriculture will provide technical expertise, inputs, and market support to transform these lands into sustainable production sources. Deputy Prime Minister Ly Thuch informed that currently, more than two-thirds of the cleared land is being used for cultivation. He stated that the true success of mine action is the transformation of this safe land into farms, fishponds, and sources of livelihood for the people, contributing to strengthening food security, developing community economies, and reducing poverty in line with the Royal Government's Pentagonal Strategy. Concurrently, Deputy Prime Minister Ly Thuch expressed his deep gratitude to all donor countries, development partners, mine action operators, philanthropists, and relevant parties who have supported humanitarian mine action activities in Cambodia, leading to continuous achievements. He also called for further strengthening cooperation to jointly transform minefields into farmlands and fear into yields and prosperity for the Cambodian people.