Kampong Speu Province Faces Severe Drought Impact, Rushing to Save Nearly 60,000 Hectares of Rice

Kampong Speu Province is facing severe impacts on its rice cultivation, with nearly 60,000 hectares affected by the prolonged dry season and the influence of the El Niño phenomenon. In response, Governor Dr. Chham Chanthy Sophoan has urged relevant technical departments to expedite interventions to supply water and rescue the affected rice crops across all nine districts and cities in the province. During a visit on September 2, 2026, to inspect the affected rice fields, Dr. Chham Chanthy Sophoan noted that while the current state of the rice plants is critical in some areas, there is still hope for recovery if water can be supplied in a timely manner. He also mentioned that recent rainfall, ranging from moderate to significant, has covered and irrigated some rice fields in several districts and cities, helping the crops regain strength and withstand the dry conditions for a short period. The governor expressed optimism that if technical departments can deliver water to the affected areas or if the rains continue over the next 10 days, farmers can regain hope, and at least 70% of the total affected rice yield could be salvaged. For three districts and cities lacking water sources, local authorities are instructed to find alternative water sources and collaborate with the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology to pump water from the Krang Polay River in Thpong District to irrigate the rice fields of citizens suffering in nearby affected districts and cities. Mr. Yim Non, Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, reported that the second phase of the dry season and El Niño have impacted rice crops in eight districts and cities. These include Baset District (4,506 hectares), Chbar Mon City (993 hectares), Kong Pisei District (7,394 hectares), Oral District (793 hectares), and Samrong Tong District (24,115 hectares), all of which have been fully salvaged. In Thpong District (4,421 hectares), 2,195 hectares have been salvaged; in Oudong Meanchey City (5,249 hectares), 1,714 hectares have been salvaged; and in Samaki Mean Chey District (9,128 hectares), 1,140 hectares have been salvaged. It is noted that the plan for the 2026 rainy season rice cultivation was 120,527 hectares. By the end of August, planting and transplanting had been implemented on 127,587 hectares, representing 105.86% of the plan, an increase of 8,228 hectares compared to the same period in 2025.