Cambodia Steps Up Aid for Drought-Stricken Rice Cultivation

In Kandal Stung District, Kandal Province, central Cambodia, over 1,000 hectares of rice fields are suffering severe damage due to water shortages caused by drought. In response, Deputy Governor Hak Sokhmakara has led intervention efforts, accompanied by technical officials and district authorities, to rescue the affected rainy-season rice crops. This aims to ensure that the crops are not destroyed by the lack of irrigation water. During his visit to oversee the rescue operations, Deputy Governor Hak Sokhmakara instructed the Kandal Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology to install additional water pumps beyond those already in operation to assist farmers. He also urged the Kandal Stung District Administration to collaborate with the provincial department to identify areas facing the most critical needs and to ensure the timely delivery of aid. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of establishing a working group to regularly monitor and maintain the water pumps, guaranteeing that water is pumped effectively to the farmers' paddies. According to Ouch Saovorn, the District Governor of Kandal Stung, the district has a total of 2,423 hectares dedicated to rainy-season rice cultivation. Of this, 1,141 hectares have been impacted by the drought and are experiencing water shortages. This drought poses a significant threat to Cambodia's rice production, a staple crop, raising concerns about national food security. The government's intervention highlights its commitment to supporting the agricultural sector and mitigating the impact on the livelihoods of its citizens.