Kratie: In response to the urgent needs of local farmers facing water shortages during the dry season, Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra, who is also Head of the Royal Government Working Group in Kratie province, along with H.E. Var Thorn, Governor of Kratie province, and officials from the provincial and district administrations, conducted an on-site inspection on the afternoon of Feb. 1. Their visit focused on overseeing water pumping operations to irrigate drought-affected rice fields in Prek Samann commune, Chhlong district, Kratie province.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, this intervention aligns with the strong commitment of the Cambodian government, led by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, to promptly address farmers’ challenges and protect their rice crops from drought. Also in attendance was H.E. Shaharuddin Bin Onn, the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, who was on a working visit to Kratie province. He is also scheduled to attend the inauguration of a new Islamic Mosque in O’ Krieng Senchey district.
During the visit, H.E. Neth Pheaktra and H.E. Shaharuddin Bin Onn met with affected farmers in Prek Samann commune, offering support and encouragement. Acknowledging the proactive efforts of the local administration, Ambassador Shaharuddin praised the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Kratie provincial authorities for their swift intervention in mitigating the effects of drought on local farmers.
Currently, approximately 600 hectares of rice fields in Kratie province are facing severe water shortages. Since mid-January, the provincial administration, in collaboration with relevant technical departments and the Royal Government Working Group, led by H.E. Neth Pheaktra, has been working to pump water from the Mekong River to supply the affected farmland. As of Feb. 1, 2025, the intervention has successfully provided water to all 600 hectares, allowing the rice to continue growing. Some fields have already started bearing grain, while others have been harvested.
According to H.E. Neth Pheaktra, multiple water pumps have been operating continuously, extracting approximately 1.2 million cubic metres of water over a full month. The pumps run for 22 hours per day, ensuring that rice fields do not suffer from a lack of water. During his visit, H.E. Neth Pheaktra urged commune and district authorities, along with the provincial departments of Water Resources, Agriculture, Public Works, and Transport, to continue monitoring other drought-affected areas. He stressed the importance of maximising available resources to ensure that farmers receive timely assistance wherever possible.
If conditions remain stable, the rice fields in Prek Samann commune are expected to be ready for harvest by early March.