Kingdom shipped agri products to 95 countries

Kingdom shipped agri products to 95 countries

Cambodia shipped agricultural products to 95 countries last year generating $5.2 billion in revenues, said an official of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

This was revealed by Kong Chanveasna, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), while inaugurating the newly installed large-scale fertiliser production machine at Husk Ventures Cambodia facility in Prasat Ballong district, Kampong Thom province, on Wednesday.

“This milestone shows Cambodia’s increasing influence in the global agricultural market,” he pointed out.

The MAFF official said the country exported 12 million tonnes last year out of the total agricultural production, which stood at 40 million tonnes.

The main agricultural and farm products exported by Cambodia include rice, bananas, mangoes, cassava, cashew nuts, corn, palm oil, pepper and tobacco. China, EU and other Asean nations including Vietnam and Thailand are the major importers of Cambodia’s agricultural items.

The Royal Government has earlier announced the implementation of a new strategic policy for agricultural development, aiming to upgrade agriculture from household farming to commercial farming and enhance farmers’ income through value-added products.

In line with this strategic policy, the government has already deployed 250 agricultural officials and the number is set to be raised to more than 1,300 by the end of the current year in communes nationwide with an aim to add human resources for the agricultural sector’s development.

These officials will technically assist farmers, form agricultural cooperatives, link production chains and guide farmers to reduce production costs, according to the MAFF.

“The ministry’s policies for the agricultural sector not only focus on ensuring food security in the country but also on finding export markets for high-quality agricultural products since agriculture is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy.”

Chanveasna emphasised that the Kingdom imported 96,000 tonnes of agricultural fertilisers and more than 7,000 tonnes of agricultural chemicals to support local farmers.

“As of now, 16 companies function as manufacturers in the Kingdom’s fertiliser market, including Husk Ventures Cambodia, with established capacity to produce and supply 5,000 tonnes of fertilisers annually.”

Chanveasna urged all fertiliser companies in the country to consider farmers’ welfare as their key priority. “These companies should be exclusively aiming at supporting farmers and reducing their cost of production so that they could earn more income from their crops.”

Husk Ventures Cambodia was established in the year 2019 and since then the company has been at the forefront of producing natural fertilisers. The company employs 45 citizens.

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