Jasmine: Sweet smell of success in S Reap
MALIS Leam, a variety of jasmine, is known for its natural fragrance, and is commonly grown in the backyards of many Cambodian homes for its delightful aroma. Due to rising popularity, jasmine is now being widely cultivated on a commercial scale.
One man in Ta Kos village, Preah Dak commune, Banteay Srei district in Siem Reap province cultivates jasmine on his one-hectare plot of land, and regularly receives more than 100,000 riel ($25)per kilogramme for his fragrant crop. Despite the absence of shade, his jasmine leaves remain fresh and vibrant, showing no signs of withering.
Phaok Samrorng is 32 years old and married with two young children.
He told The Post that he attended the National Meanchey University as an agricultural student and completed his degree in agriculture back in 2016. He was then sent to school in Israel for an additional year of study. Following his time in Israel, he returned to his hometown, where he began cultivating jasmine.
He initially acquired his seedlings from Thailand, and planted them in shallow furrows. His plants are approximately half a metre apart, and watered with a small irrigation system. He uses only natural compost to nourish his plants.
Samrorng explained that it took approximately six months from the first day of planting until the flowers were ready for harvesting, although he has now perfected a grafting system that has enabled him to reduce the growing period by half. During the height of the harvesting season, he is able to collect up to 20kg of flowers per day, although the yield is much lower in the rainy season.
“Due to the fact that jasmine does not thrive in colder weather conditions, I can only harvest around 1kg a day in the cooler months,” he said.
The jasmine market tends to be more profitable during the summer season leading up to the traditional Khmer New Year celebration, when Samrorng can sell his flowers for prices ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 riel per kg.
“Jasmine is a precious flower that is believed to give blessings
in life, hence its demand. I supply a lot of jasmine flowers to the Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm shrine. The flowers that I grow here have a unique fragrance, and jasmine carries a beautiful fragrant aroma when it blooms,” he said.
He added that he sells a variety of garlands at the shrine, including neck garlands made of approximately 400 grams of flowers and wrist or hair garlands made of about 100 grams of flowers.
In addition to supplying the shrine, he also supplies flowers to hotels for use in bathrooms and reception areas. The demand for his products is so high that he sometimes struggles to meet demand in Siem Reap town alone.
Jasmine is also grown in other provinces such as Battambang and Pursat, and most notably in Banteay Meanchey, where traders buy
them for export to Thailand. Both Thai and Cambodian jasmine share the same genus, but producing a good aroma depends on the use of natural fertiliser, as too many chemicals can result in less fragrant flowers.
Samrorng admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic had seriously detrimental effects on his business. The downturn meant he was barely able to support his family, and even considered giving up the business.
After the country reopened, he saw the return of demand for his flowers, and now encourages other farmers to follow him into the industry.
“It is less labour intensive than many other crops, and prices remain high,” he said.
Tea Kimsoth, director of the Siem Reap provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, told The Post that demand is high for these flowers, especially around festivals.
“Most of these flowers are imported from other provinces. The prices people pay for these flowers is relatively high, so they would be an excellent cash crop for local families. In addition, Siem Reap is home to many festivals, and tourists often use this flower as an offering,” he said.
He explained that jasmine requires an adequate water supply, which is why it tends to be grown in other provinces or near to rivers.
“However, if it can be grown in Siem Reap, it would be costeffective, as there would be no transport expenses,” he said.
“Malis Lea jasmine grows very quickly in regions near rivers. While it is possible to cultivate it in Siem Reap, the efficiency and quality may vary due to differences in soil type,” he added.