Cambodia: Governor Appeals for Land Donation to Expand Roads and Irrigation Systems Amid Drought Concerns

The governor of Stueng district in Kampong Cham province, Say Kimlom, has appealed to residents in the locality to cooperate and voluntarily donate land or accept minor impacts for the expansion of roads and the construction of additional irrigation systems to save farmland from drought. Governor Say Kimlom made this appeal during a direct field study to the base to study in detail the impacts in preparation for the construction of new irrigation systems to serve as a means of communication and a safe irrigation system to save the rice fields of farmers in five communes in Stueng district, Kampong Cham province, on the afternoon of July 23, 2026. The district governor emphasized that the current climate change has caused drought phenomena and prolonged dry seasons, leading to the drying up of some natural water sources, severely impacting the yields of rice and complementary crops for farmers. He stated that without good transportation routes and proper canals, farmers will always face the risk of losses when encountering drought. "The sacrifice of a small amount of land today is an investment in a strong future for our children and our entire community." He added that the cooperation between the authorities and the people in opening roads and building canals will provide many direct and collective benefits, such as ensuring water sources for irrigation. New or rehabilitated canals can bring water directly to distant fields, increasing the possibility of safer cultivation. It will also facilitate travel and transportation, and the expanded and improved roads will help streamline the transportation of agricultural products to the market, guaranteeing prices and reducing transportation costs. Governor Say Kimlom further clarified that the technical team will conduct direct site studies with the utmost transparency in the near future, minimizing the impact on the interests of the people to the lowest level. Simultaneously, the Stueng district authorities are seeking intervention and additional financial and technical support from relevant ministries and institutions to bring these infrastructure construction projects to fruition soon. The district authorities firmly hope that all citizens will cooperate with a spirit of solidarity and high responsibility to jointly build a more prosperous and sustainable future for the agricultural sector in Stueng district. Information Source: AKP Khmer