Tina visits Japonica rice trial in Kampong Thom
MINISTER of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina arrived in Kampong Thom province on December 21 to inspect Japonica rice and inquire into requirements of the farmers in the Stung Chinit Irrigation Area.
The visit sought to support the network that produces Japonica rice from Japan and supplies pure seed varieties in sustainable agriculture, said a senior agriculture ministry official.
Yang Saing Koma, secretary of state at the agriculture ministry, said on December 22 that Tina met with the provincial governor, a working group, farmers, rice processors and a Japonica rice buyer in the Stung Chinit Stung Chinit Irrigation Area in Kampong Thom’s Stoung district.
“The purpose of the visit was to look into supporting the network to ensure the farmers produce quality Japonica rice for supply to the buyer, with the buyer in return having fine milled rice with which to expand the market,” he said.
The working group had also offered further support to the community in producing Japonica rice for the domestic market and for export, he added.
Secretary-general of the Farmers and Water Network Association Sok Socheat said on December 22 that the community was in the second phase of testing growing imported Japonica rice for the buyer to sell to Japan.
“Thecommunityinitiallygrew 10ha of rice and received good results as expected. The quality was good and in line with the techniques used. The yield from the first trial was between three and 3.50 tonnes per hectare.
“The association is coordinating with and supporting the community in growing an additional 100ha of Japonica rice next year. The buyer will purchase the Japonica rice for 1,200 riel per kilogramme, while the association will sell a kilogramme of the rice seed varieties for $4,” Socheat said.