Mom Kunthea / Khmer Times

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) is actively promoting the establishment of Modern Agricultural Cooperatives (MACs) to modernise the agricultural sector, reduce production costs, and enhance farmers’ competitiveness in the market.

One notable example is the Srov Rung Chrey Meanchey Modern Agricultural Cooperative in Thma Kol district, Battambang province. The cooperative has 187 members who manage around 935 hectares of rice fields, demonstrating the benefits of large-scale cooperation and modern farming practices.

Under the Cambodia Agricultural Sector Diversification Project (CASDP), financed by the World Bank (WB) and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MoWRAM), and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), the cooperative received agricultural machinery, including 25 hand tractors.

The machinery has improved rice-harvesting efficiency, reduced grain losses, and maintained crop quality. Like 27 other cooperatives supported by the project, the cooperative is now better able to plan rice production and secure contracts with private companies ahead of harvest, helping farmers access more stable markets and better prices.

The cooperative and its members have also benefited from lower production costs, expanded cultivation, and increased technical and financial support through CASDP. The project aims to reduce reliance on manual labour, address labour shortages caused by youth migration, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Cambodia’s agricultural sector.

Published Date: May 20, 2026