Siem Reap Governor: Organic products are way forward

Rows of organic vegetables planted in Siem Reap flourish in the Cambodian sunshine. KT/Chor Sokunthea

Speaking in a press conference yesterday at the Council of Ministers Office, deputy governor of Siem Reap province Ly Samrith said they will continue promoting local organic products in the province in line with the provincial development plan 2020.

Mr Samrith said that in order to ensure food safety for locals and visiting tourists, the governor is urging local farmers to produce more organic products. He also said he wants to promote the “one village, one product” campaign and obtain a registered trademark for organic Siem Reap products.

“We have instructed at least 2000 families to grow organic vegetables and promised to help them find a market for their products.

He said there are many districts in Siem Reap which have successfully implemented organic farming in the last five years, including Prasat Bakong, Soutr Nikom, Puok, Banteay Srey districts and Siem Reap city.

According to Mr Samrith, up to 40 tonnes of vegetables are being produced in the province daily and the number of products is set to increase as the tourism industry reopens after the COVID-19 situation improves.

“With the help of the local authority, modernised farming techniques and market opportunity development are helping farmers enjoy positive growth of their business,” he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance have provided sufficient vegetable seeds to villagers for cultivation and we will be giving more,” said Mr Samrith.

Seng Buntha, Director of Banteay Srey district Agriculture Office said close to 10,000 families in Banteay Srey district are working in agriculture and most of them are producing organic products.

“From the observation of the ministry, farmers have sufficient technology for their farm operations. Their current problem is accessing the market.”

“Fruits have lower demand than vegetables, therefore it makes finding a market for them more difficult,” said Mr Buntha.

In March 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Commerce established a weekend community market in the gardens near Raffles Grand Hotel Angkor for local farmers across the province to sell their products.

Keo Saly, a 48-year-old vegetable farmer from Banteay Srey district, said farmers in her district are glad to have a convenient market in which to sell their products.

Ms Saly, who is also in charge of collecting vegetables and fruits from local farmers for the market said: “We don’t worry as much as we did previously as we now have a market where we can sell our products.”

“Now what we have to focus is to produce better quality products for our customers,” she said.

“Although COVID-19 has affected the Kingdom’s economy, it hasn’t impacted organic products. The weekend community market is still open and welcomes all customers.”

“However, the community market would attract more customers if it allowed farmers and traders to sell meat products,” she added.

Credited: Khmer Times