Mom Kunthea / Khmer Times

Synopsis: The deal is the largest signing to date and will provide capital support to more than 1,500 rice farmers cultivating over 15,000 hectares.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Tuesday signed an agreement to allocate approximately $13 million in capital support for rice farmers for nine modern farming cooperatives spanning four provinces.

The signing ceremony was held at the Borey Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap province between Khim Finan, Undersecretary of State of the MAFF, also Director of the Cambodia Agricultural Sector Diversification Project (CASDP), and representatives of nine modern agricultural cooperatives.​

In a social media post yesterday, Finan said the new year began with the provision of a $12 million low-interest loan and nearly $1 million in grants under the Ministry of Agriculture’s CASDP to support nine modern farming communities in Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Siem Reap provinces.​

He added that due to uncertainty caused by the conflict in border provinces, this important signing ceremony was jointly held in Siem Reap province.

“It is the largest signing to date and will provide capital support to more than 1,500 rice farmers cultivating over 15,000 hectares, as well as investment in production infrastructure such as warehouses, harvesters, tractors, water pumps and rice mills,” he said.

The nine modern agricultural communities include Damnam Srov Baray Taing Kok Modern Agricultural communities (Kampong Thom province), Srov Angkor Sovathapheap Srok Ek Phnom Modern Agricultural communities (Battambang province), Srov Neang Am Modern Agricultural communities (Siem Reap province), Srov Srok Banan Modern Agricultural communities (Battambang province), Srov Praporn Thearasass Konghat Modern Agricultural communities (Battambang province), Srov Rung Chrey Meanchey Modern Agricultural communities (Battambang province), Srov Angkor Kunnnapheap Moung Russey Modern Agricultural communities (Battambang province), Aphivath Damnam Srov Kampong Thom Modern Agricultural communities (Kampong Thom province), and Preah Net Preah Modern Agricultural communities (Banteay Meanchey province).

Finan said on late November that to date, 25 modern agricultural communities have been established in 11 provinces with more than 3,200 farmer families. He added that a few among all the modern agricultural communities are still not fully operational, facing and solving some internal issues.

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has announced the implementation of a new strategic policy for agricultural development, aiming to upgrade agriculture from household farming to commercial farming and enhance farmers’ income through value-added products.

Published Date: January 2, 2026