Illustrative Image (Source:kambodja) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 60-million-USD loan for Cambodia to increase its agricultural production by rehabilitating and modernising irrigation systems in Kampong Thom and Battambang provinces, the country’s two biggest granaries.
According to the ADB, the funds will support the Cambodian government’s efforts to ensure the sustainable operation and maintenance of irrigated land, manage water resources more efficiently and make farmers less vulnerable to natural hazards such as floods as a consequence of climate change.
The banks forecasts that by 2021, the total cultivated area for both dry and wet seasons will have increased to 29,500 hectares from 13,500 in 2015, and irrigation systems will have achieved a 100-percent increase in efficiency.
The project will also help to train government staff, farmers and local communities to efficiently manage irrigation systems and water resources, particularly irrigation system usage and maintenance.
The country’s agricultural production is dependent on natural elements with traditional cultivation techniques. However the sector has maintained stable growth in recent years, helping boost the country to become one of the world’s largest rice exporters.-VNA
