Yesterday I listened carefully to the Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Akka Maha Sena Padei Decho Hun Sen’ s speech in a state-run-television during his visit in Kampong Speu province, after the 27 July election. Though he talked about many things ranging from school buildings, irrigation systems, election, and Preah Vihear border issues, he still talked about Cambodia’s expectation to export rice to Gulf, where Kuwait and Qatar will be the main export destination of Cambodia’s rice.

Due to Cambodia’s favorable condition in natural resources, Cambodia could become a powerful country in agriculture sector in the near future. This mainly refers to rice sector. Cambodia cultivates rice one time per year and yields 2.5 tons per hectare in average and in the mean time Cambodia could still export rice to foreign countries about two million tons. If Cambodia cultivates two or three times per year, then it is not the problem or a challenge for Cambodia to export rice about four million tons of rice.

Cambodia is going to invest more to increase rice production. Irrigation system is the most important factor, and strengthening capacity of farmers along with high tech/methods of rice production is also very tremendously important. Moreover, once Cambodia is able to increase paddy rice production from 2.5 tons per hectare to 5 tons per hectare, then Cambodia is expected to export staple rice about 10 million tons by the year 2015. That is the year Cambodia will become the largest country in Asia and the world in rice exportation, leading a status as a powerful country in rice sector.

Today, Vietnam with about 70 million people exports four million tons of rice, and Thailand with about 80 million people exports about 8 million tons of rice and Cambodia with about 15 million people exports two million tons of rice. Due to this comparison and the other Cambodia’s unused natural resources, Cambodia could fulfill its commitment.

It is from now on up to the efforts made by the government, farmers, private sector and civil society which are key players for the development of rice production in Cambodia. This fourth mandate of the National Assembly, the government will mainly continue to prioritize and invest in irrigation system. Kampong Speu, a province which has had source of water but always faces with lack of water, will become the first model of irrigation system development.