Kratie provincial administration continues intervention to pump water for farmers

In response to the urgent needs of local farmers experiencing water shortages during the dry season, Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra, who is also Head of the Royal Government Working Group in Kratie province, alongside Var Thorn, Governor of Kratie province, and officials from provincial and district administrations, conducted an on-site inspection on the afternoon of 1 February.

Their visit concentrated on overseeing water pumping operations to irrigate drought-affected rice fields in Prek Samann commune, Chhlong district, Kratie province.

This intervention is in accordance with the firm commitment of the Cambodian government, under the leadership of Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, to proactively address the challenges faced by farmers and to protect their rice crops from drought.

Accompanying them was Shaharuddin Bin Onn, the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, who was on a working visit to Kratie province. He is also set to attend the inauguration of a new Islamic Mosque in O’ Krieng Senchey district.

During the visit, Pheaktra and Shaharuddin Bin Onn met with affected farmers in Prek Samann commune, offering support and encouragement.

Recognising the proactive efforts of the local administration, Ambassador Shaharuddin commended the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Kratie provincial authorities for their swift intervention in alleviating the impacts of drought on local farmers.

Currently, approximately 600 hectares of rice fields in Kratie province are experiencing severe water shortages.

Since mid-January, the provincial administration, in collaboration with relevant technical departments and the Royal Government Working Group led by Pheaktra, has been working to pump water from the Mekong River to supply the affected farmland.

As of 1 February 2025, the intervention has successfully provided water to all 600 hectares, enabling the rice to continue growing. Some fields have already begun producing grain, while others have been harvested.

This large-scale water pumping initiative reflects the strong commitment of Prime Minister Hun Manet and government officials at all levels to support farmers and ensure stable agricultural production during the dry season.

According to 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, Pheaktra urged commune and district authorities, along with the provincial departments of Water Resources, Agriculture, Public Works, and Transport, to continue monitoring other drought-stricken areas. He stressed the need to maximise 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. AKP