Nhean Chamrong / Khmer Times.

Two days after visiting Takeo and Kampong Thom provinces that faced water shortages during the dry season, Prime Minister Hun Manet yesterday stated that the Completed Irrigation System (CIS), a project under the ‘Cambodia Agricultural Value Chain Program – Phase 2’ (CAVAC II), guarantees sufficient water supply for farmers, enabling them to cultivate rice up to three times a year.

Acknowledging concerns about water supply during the dry season, Mr Hun Manet wrote on his social media account that CAVAC II is a programme designed to enhance the agricultural value chain by ensuring water supply for farmers to produce crops all year round.

The Premier noted that the 12 CIS projects have been rehabilitated and constructed to provide adequate water supply for farming across three provinces including Takeo, Kandal, and Prey Veng.

“The CIS project ensures that farmers have sufficient water to cultivate rice up to three times annually as well as grow other crops without concerns about water shortage during the dry season,” he added.

Giving an elaborate description, Mr Hun Manet explained that the irrigation system includes 12 automatic pumping stations powered by electricity that pump water into the main canal. “From there, the water flows into sub-canals and then into lower canals along farmers’ fields, allowing them to drain it as needed,” he wrote.

He continued that the CIS is the project under the ‘Cambodia Agricultural Value Chain Program – Phase 2’ (CAVAC II). It is managed by the water user community which was established by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MoWRAM).

According to the Premier’s statement, Takeo has a total of five irrigation systems and pumping stations: Canal 90, the New Wat system, the New Wat 3 system, the Ta Suong Canal, and the Char 1 system.

Prey Veng also has five irrigation systems and pumping stations, including the Angkor Ang system, the Anlung Reach system, the Peam Ro system, the Tahel system, and the Dei Krohom system.

Meanwhile, Kandal has one irrigation system and one pumping station, namely the Sambour and Char 2 systems, which together supply water for farming across 10,000 hectares, the statement added.

It may be noted that on January 31, MoWRAM pumped water to recuse rice cultivation and mixed crops across 2,863 hectares in nine provinces.

In Kampong Thom, the ministry provided water to four areas, covering a total of 79 hectares. In Prey Veng, seven areas spanning 1,171 hectares received support, while in Svay Rieng, two areas totalling 50 hectares were assisted. Similarly, in Kandal, 11 areas covering 725 hectares were supplied with water.

Additionally, in Kratie, one area of 15 hectares received assistance, and in Tboung Khmum, one area covering 160 hectares was supported. In Kampong Cham, two areas totalling 61 hectares were provided with water, whereas in Kampot, two areas covering 70 hectares received aid.

Similarly, in Siem Reap, one area of 532 hectares benefited from the ministry’s intervention.

During a press tour in December, Chan Sinath, Secretary of State of MoWRAM, told Khmer Times that rice farmers in Kampong Cham previously spent around $250 per hectare on water supply.

Due to limited access to water, they could only produce up to two tonnes per hectare and were restricted to two harvests per year.

“With the pumping station, water now reaches all corners of the districts, reducing water costs to about $85 per hectare. Rice productivity has increased to five tonnes per hectare, and farmers can now harvest three times annually, thanks to the improved purification and plumbing system,” he explained.

Published Date: February 2, 2025