In this recent days, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Mahasena Padei Decho Hun Sen, confirmed that Cambodia will be able to export rice about 8 million tons in year 2015. This confirmation had been made during his closing remarks at the Government and Private sector meeting, conducted twice a year since 1999. That is true as Cambodia at this present time is exporting rice to foreign countries about 2-3 million tons while its rice yield is not fully produced.

Cambodia has about two million hectare of land for rice fields which is ongoing with rice production with its existing irrigation system which can cover the land rice field about 30%. It can expand to three million hectares for rice production. Adding to this, Cambodia could cultivate about two to three times per year on the same land areas. Based on this, it is seen that Cambodia has huge potential in rice production and could become a world largest country in exporting rice to the world economies. To come to this end, what shall the government do?

1. Expanding land field for rice cultivation. As mentioned above, Cambodia could enlarge rice land areas from 2 million hectares to 3 million hectares. The rice field shall be in according to government’s policy in encouraging those who have land to do rice cultivation. Adding to this, while other prices of agricultural made foods/goods are increasing, it is important that the government thinks of use its limited three million hectares of land to a full potential, along with fish feeding in rice fields mainstreaming with mixed agricultural system. Thus, further study on land expansion and farmer motivation to produce rice shall be taken in detail.

2. Irrigation system. The government and others acknowledge that planting based on rain is not acceptable at this modern economy. It needs irrigation to supply enough water for rice cultivation/production. Therefore, there should be a master plan for irrigation system and a high technology to irrigate rice field is much needed. Currently, the government is taken this measure.

3. Human resources and agricultural technology development. The government would need to build capacity of farmers on agricultural technology/method to produce high yields of rice. The rice seed is also important. Thus, it is tremendously important to have a big plan for capacity building at both national and local levels.

4. Contribution of local councils. Decentralization and deconcentration bring along with locally elected councils to serve the interests of local citizens and coordinate all local development agendas in an aim to improve living standard of people and reduce poverty. While they are at local and they will have their own resources and decision making to some extent, they shall raise awareness and facilitate the promotion of rice production. In addition, their councils’ development program would budget for the promotion and improvement of rice production and marketing.

5. Encourage investment in rice production. The government already has its plan to reduce import tax and provide tax incentives (VAT as burden of government) for those agricultural materials and machines. The lower price of these materials and machine would encourage investment in rice production and would make lower cost. However, taking the cost and benefits of this tax incentive measure shall be an areas of focus.

6. Marketing of Cambodian rice. Cambodia would need to attract foreign buyers as Cambodia would enter the new world market of rice in countries where there are already its strong competitors such as Vietnam, Thailand, etc. Marketing strategy and sale promotion to the world rice market is not only the mandate of Ministry of Commerce. Cooperation with private sector would foster the efficiency in rice marketing.

If everything is good and applicable, it is expected that this would create jobs, generate income, and speed up economic growth.

However, what I mentioned above is just an ideas. I do not make a detail research on that and it would be grateful, if researchers, university students, government and donors would do research on this very important topic. The research finding should then be discussed publicly among government, policymakers, farmers, civil society organizations and private companies.