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Prime Minister Hun Manet Tuesday called for greater efforts on the part of rice farmers, producers and exporters to increase production and improve quality even as he promised continued support of the government to the rice sector.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the 7th Cambodia Rice Forum in Phnom Penh, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to the sustainable development of the rice industry.

“The presence of Cambodian products in foreign markets is a source of pride for our country. This is possible due to the close cooperation between the government and private sector,” Mr Hun Manet said.

“With the government’s support, farmers, producers, and exporters should increase production capacity and ensure quality products for export to compete in the international market,” he said.

Under the theme ‘Transforming the Cambodia Rice Value Chain to be Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable,’ the forum provided a crucial platform for industry insiders to share insights and discuss the latest developments in the sector.

The forum was organized by the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) with the support of the government, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation and the Ministry of Commerce along with Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development, the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, Khmer Enterprise and USAID – Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II.

The forum was opened with remarks from Song Saran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CRF, three Ministers and Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Derek Yip with the participation of more than 350 participants including rice millers and representatives of agriculture cooperatives and international organizations.

The organization of the forum was to strengthen and expand the Cambodian rice supply chain in the context of climate change and global trends, said Saran.

“The forum provides a valuable platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences and work towards a more sustainable and competitive rice industry,” Saran said.

The three ministers outlined their plans to support the sector’s growth, including infrastructure development, investment incentives and capacity-building programmes.

Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, highlighted the government’s efforts to support sustainable agricultural practices and improve the livelihoods of rice farmers.

This includes providing access to quality seeds, fertilizers and technical assistance as well as investing in infrastructure and irrigation systems to ensure a reliable water supply.

“The government has paid close attention to the rice sector. The focus is on the value chain, from cultivation to harvesting to processing, packaging and trade, both domestically and internationally,” he said.

In her opening remarks, Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, spoke about the government’s commitment to expand markets for Cambodian rice both domestically and internationally.

“Ministry of Commerce, via the Green Trade Company, has been persistently working on negotiating with certain countries in the region to expand the Cambodian rice market,” Nimul said.

Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, stated that the ministry is ready to work with the private sector on promoting innovation and technological advancements within the rice sector aiming to enhance efficiency, improve rice quality, and develop value-added products.

“The government’s participation and commitment to the industry demonstrate its recognition of the rice sector’s importance in Cambodia’s economy and its determination to support sustainable growth and development,” Vanndy said.

The forum featured discussions on market trends, emerging technologies, and sustainable farming practices. Key participants from the government, private sector, and international organizations presented topics related to rice production, processing, and marketing.

The first edition of the Cambodia Rice Forum was held in 2011 as a purely private-sector initiative to shore up the sector through the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia.

The initiative aimed to share perspectives and experiences in the rice sector in search of constructive solutions, particularly in modernizing the sector in line with global market trends including price competitiveness, productivity growth and export promotion.

As Cambodia aims to achieve a milestone of one million tonnes of rice exports by 2025, the forum served as a strategic gathering to address the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Cambodia exported a total of 412,023 tonnes of milled rice in the first eight months of 2024, earning a revenue of $305 million, according to a CRF report.

Cambodia has 3.54 million hectares of rice fields, producing an annual yield of 12.49 million tonnes of paddy. After supplying the domestic market, Cambodia has a paddy surplus of 6.5 million tonnes, indicating that the country is capable of exporting more rice.

Source : khmertimeskh