via CAAI
PHNOM PENH, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said Mon onday that his country is eyeing Chinese market for rice exports, Xinhua news agency reported.
Delivering speech to the graduate students, Hun Sen said Cambodia and China are negotiating on the exports of rice from Cambodia to Chinese markets.
He said within this week, there will be a signing agreement between the two sides on the exports of Cambodian rice.
In addition to rice exports, Hun Sen said China has granted Cambodia favourable conditions in exports.
In August, the Cambodian government announced that it had set 2015 to show this nation's competence in becoming one of the major rice exporters to world's markets.
Hun Sen said by reaching the target, it must start from the first production of rice surplus at the reach of more than 4 million tonnes per year and at least 1 million tonne of the amount will be allocated for export.
While, at the same time the rice must meet an international standard.
He said, despite the fact that Cambodia is rich and potential enough in rice production, the real yields are not yet satisfied compared to neighbouring countries.
Hun Sen said in 2008, Cambodia could only produce 2.6 tonnes of rice per hectare of land, while Thailand could produce 2.8 tonnes, Laos 3.5 tonnes, and Vietnam 4.9 tonnes, respectively.
He acknowledged that one of the major blocks to large rice production in Cambodia is shortage of water.
About 80 percent of Cambodia's 14 million population are farmers.
Last year, Cambodia produced more than 7 million tonnes of rice.
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