Growing success: Govt’s efforts to improve farmers’ livelihoods yielding results
With 250 agricultural experts helping over 110,000 farmers increase their productivity during the program's first stage, the government's attempts to improve farmers' livelihoods under the Pentagonal Strategy are showing promise. Now under progress is the second phase, which intends to hire and assign 800 additional professionals.
This information was made public earlier this week at the Office of the Council of Ministers during the 4th Media Forum on "National Policies and Achievements of the Royal Government of the 7th Legislature for Year 1," which was organized by the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit (RGSU).
Pen Bona, the head of the RGSU and a minister delegate to the prime minister, spoke at the forum and emphasized the achievements of the government's efforts to deploy agricultural professionals to help farmers.
"250 agricultural technical officials were dispatched following orientation training, visiting over 110,000 farms and settling over 1,000 issues. Farmers have clearly benefited from this as they actively battle rice pests, he said.
According to Bona, the program has resulted in the establishment and gradual introduction of eight contemporary farming communities spread over six regions. In the second phase, he said, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has set a goal of hiring 800 more agricultural officials.
All things considered, the Royal Government helps farmers, supports the unorganized economic sectors, helps with emergencies, and offers jobs and healthcare. From infancy to old age, the government looks out for its citizens, particularly the weak and impoverished, he stated.
Does anyone who criticizes the administration really know what it has accomplished, wondered Bona. He warned against making claims, expressing opinions, or acting without sufficient understanding because doing so only serves to inflame needless strife. Instead, he urged individuals to think carefully before speaking.
The government's six main policies during the seventh term include the assignment of agricultural experts to farming communes around the Kingdom. The proposal has received strong support from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who expressed his opinion that it will increase the value of produce, offer substantial advantages to farmers, and fortify the agricultural industry overall
Gov’t reserves $100 million for agricultural interventions
The Cambodian Royal Government, operating under the 7th mandate, has allocated around $100 million for agricultural interventions aimed at stabilizing agricultural prices, which are subject to fluctuations based on global market conditions.
The Premier stated that farmers have difficulties due to fluctuating agricultural prices and reiterated the Royal Government's commitment to ensuring stable pricing, particularly through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
Dr. Hun Manet continued adding that since the agricultural sector continues to be crucial to the Cambodian economy, the Royal Government will continue to focus on encouraging high-quality production and work to keep the agricultural markets balanced, especially with regard to vital crops.
The prime minister expressed gratitude for the investment made by Khmer Fresh Milk Co., Ltd. and other companies in the manufacturing of fresh milk to service the Cambodian market.
Presently, there are four dairy farms in Cambodia with approximately 1,200 dairy animals, yielding 13,000 liters of fresh milk daily. The four farms have the capacity to meet 17% of the 300,000 liters of dairy required annually in the Kingdom.
Dr. Hun Manet claims that Cambodia imports around 98,000 tonnes of fresh milk worth $734 million per year.