Congress endorses govt’s policies on agriculture

Congress endorses govt’s policies on agriculture

The Senate and the National Assembly have endorsed the government’s agricultural policy which has benefited all citizens by ensuring food security and economic growth. The Congress also approved the Royal Government’s policy formulations with regard to the agriculture sector.

According to a joint press release by the Senate and the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Congress discussed the Royal Government’s agricultural policy, action plans, current challenges, and proposed solutions. “The discussions focused on the practical implementation of these initiatives within the agricultural sector.”

The press release emphasised that the Congress expressed full support for the strategic plans, action frameworks, and measures taken thus far, affirming that they align with the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1 and the government’s priority policy agenda in agriculture.

“These efforts were recognised for advancing the practical interests of all citizens, particularly farmers and agricultural processors, while upholding principles of economic and environmental sustainability.

“The National Assembly and Senate encourage the government to continue implementing its overarching policies, the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1, and its priority agricultural programmes to strengthen the sector’s resilience to climate change and external shocks, ensure sustainable food security, enhance citizens’ livelihoods, and contribute significantly to national economic growth,” the statement said.

Moreover, the National Assembly and Senate called for continued legislative support to facilitate the government’s response to emerging challenges and policy needs.

The Congress expressed gratitude to national and sub-national institutions, civil servants, armed forces, and citizens of all backgrounds for their support of the government’s political agenda, urging their continued participation in preserving peace and promoting sustainable development.

Loy Sophat, Representative of the Congress on Agriculture, stated before the joint session that as of 2024, the agriculture sector continued to contribute approximately 16.7 percent to Cambodia’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He pointed out that the sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture has shown consistent annual growth, rising from 19,805 billion riels (around $4.95 billion) in 2015, to 24,282 billion riels (around $6.07 billion) in 2020, and reaching 31,292 billion riels (around $7.82 billion) in 2024.

Sophat noted that within the agriculture sector, agricultural crops accounted for the largest share of output at 61.3 percent, followed by fisheries (20 percent), livestock production (15.4 percent), and forestry (3.3 percent).

Prime Minister Hun Manet told the Congress that the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has two core policy programmes targeting the advancement of the agricultural sector.

“The first one is the coordination mechanisms and financing programmes designed to boost production, secure markets, and stabilize prices of key agricultural products at reasonable levels.

“And the second one focuses on deploying agricultural officers to all communes and villages nationwide, and organising agricultural communities in rural areas to accelerate the development of the agricultural sector as a strong driving force for ensuring food security, supporting economic growth, and improving citizens’ livelihoods.

“The agricultural policy has benefited all Cambodians, both consumers and farmers, by implementing four simple policies – food security, resource sufficiency, abundance, and sustainable growth,” said Mr Hun Manet.

The Premier added that agriculture continues to contribute substantially to Cambodia’s GDP, although its share has gradually declined due to the expansion of the industrial and service sectors in line with structural economic transformation.

Between 2020 and 2024, the sector maintained positive growth, averaging around 0.7 percent annually.

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