Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries’ supervision, 178 farming families in Kampong Thom province’s Baray district have switched to planting Sen Kra Ob rice types.

This season, they recorded profits of about one million riel per hectare, surpassing those of anyone growing OM rice.

Minister Dith Tina attributed the increased earnings to Sen Kra Ob rice’s higher selling price of 1,270 riels per kilogramme, compared to OM rice’s price of roughly 450 riels, despite OM’s higher yield.

Farmers also benefited from reduced input and financing costs through collective purchasing methods. The Minister said that the community’s crop area would expand from 1,000 to over 5,000 hectares in the upcoming season, with plans to include more members.

The benefits of creating contemporary farming communities, planting strategic Cambodian rice varieties, and obtaining buy-and-sell agreements beforehand were emphasised by the Minister.

For the upcoming season, he also urged the community to develop comprehensive production plans, particularly concerning funding, seed selection, and market readiness.

The Minister said that, to guarantee an adequate water supply for rice production in the region, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries will collaborate with the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology to assess and develop a basic irrigation system based on actual demands.

Published Date: July 22, 2025