Efforts to restore irrigation to water-starved farmers
AN official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said efforts are being made to restore irrigation supplies to the Kingdom’s farmers.
Ministry spokesperson Im Rachna said relevant authorities have widened canals, opened dams and gates, and pumped water from secondary canals in a bid to restore irrigation systems to the 32 per cent of arable land that has encountered water shortages.
According to Rachna, as of January 22, farmers had grown 753,023ha of dry-season rice, accounting for 150.94 per cent of the planned 498,858ha.
A total of 33,035ha in 10 provinces have experienced water shortages, she said while providing a detailed breakdown.
Pursat was the worst affected, with 14,402ha, while Battambang experienced drought over 9,558ha of land. In Prey Veng, 3,650ha was dry, while Kampong Cham had 1,502ha in need of water. Kampong Chhnang had 1,282ha, Tbong Khmum had 1,218ha, Kampong Thom had 850ha, Kampot had 276ha, and Takeo had 247ha, while Phnom Penh had just 50ha in need of water.
“We were able to resolve water shortage issues for 4,055ha in Battambang, 3,650ha in Prey Veng, 1,229ha in Kampong Cham, 635ha in Tbong Khmum, 440ha in Kampong Chhnang, 276ha in Kampot, 247ha in Takeo, 195ha in Kampong Thom and 50ha in Phnom Penh,” she said on January 29.
Sok Lou, governor of Battambang province – the country’s rice production hub – said on January 29 that over 4,000ha of farmland had been saved, thanks to timely intervention by the provincial authorities, in collaboration with the ministries of water resources and agriculture.
“Moung Russey district experienced more water shortages than other districts because it is over 100km away from the nearest dams and irrigation systems.
“When the construction of the Don Try dam is complete next year, it will no longer have these problems, and neither will Rukhak Kiri and Kors Kralor districts,” he added.
Lou explained that at present, the Battambang farmers rely on four dams for daily use: the Sek Sak, Boeung Kamping Puoy, Stung Bavel and Bassac.
He called on the residents of the province to follow the instructions of the water resources ministry.
“We must suspend the second and third rounds of dry-season rice cultivation, because we have to store our remaining water for daily use and for livestock.
“Because we are suffering the effects of El Nino, we are experiencing drought. The authorities are working to save the affected rice crops,” he said.
According to the agriculture ministry, without seasonal rains, 20,218ha of land in six provinces might be damaged or lost.
Of the total amount which may be affected, it warned that Battambang could lose up to 7,734ha, while Pursat farmers could lose up to 2,231ha.