Phnom Penh: The Royal Government has so far allocated about US$238 million via the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) to support the rice sector development and maintain the rice price stability. The figure was shared by H.E. Kao Thach, Director General of ARDB, at a press conference on the ‘Rice Price and Dry-Season Rice Harvest,’ held here at the Office of the Council of Ministers on the afternoon of Jan. 15.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, of the total amount, some US$208 million was allocated between September 2016 and March 2024, while US$30 million on Jan. 15, 2025. This special fund is part of the Royal Government’s intervention to solve the challenges faced by rice farmers across the country.

Concerning the rice prices, H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, told the press conference that not all rice varieties face the falling prices. The price of fragrant rice remains high, i.e. 1,350 Riel (1 U.S. dollar equals to 4,000 Riel) per kilogramme, but that of non-fragrant rice such as OM is dropping rapidly, he said.

Before the end of 2024, H.E. Minister pointed out, the OM rice variety could be sold at over 1,200 Riel per kilogramme on average, but the price keeps falling to 1,000 Riel or even 800 Riel in January. Neighbouring Vietnam is experiencing the same problem, he said, adding that the price of OM rice has dropped by 30 percent from US$660 to US$430 per tonne.

H.E. Dith Tina thus called on farmers to join modern agricultural communities that can help them access low-interest loans and wider market.