The Government and the UN backing the poor farmers

Cambodge Soir

02-09-2008

In a press release dated 30th of August from the Xinhua press agency, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Chan Sarun, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced a joint action in favour of the poor farmers.

The aid project in favour of the disadvantaged Cambodian farmers is the result of the cooperation between the Minister Chan Sarun and the FAO representative, Omar Salah Ahmed. It is part of the program “Initiative concerning rising food prices”, launched in December 2007 by the FAO, aiming to solve the global food crisis by promoting local production. It’s also being carried out in the framework of the technical cooperation program (TCP).

A rice seed distribution ceremony was held last Thursday under the presence of both men in the Bati district, Takeo province, outlining the main goals of this project. Besides seeds, petrochemical fertilisers will be handed out to the most disadvantaged farmers. These products became indeed difficult to obtain due to the oil crisis. The project spreads out over two seasons: the rainy season, from July to September 2008 and the dry season, from November 2008 until January 2009.

It is urgent to ensure affordable prices and a sufficient local production for the population. However, the FAO has more plans. It wishes to launch a larger program in order to substantially improve the productivity and the methods of preservation on the Cambodian countryside.