Potatoes to take root
Cambodia’s eastern Mondulkiri province will become the country’s first hub for potato growing after a successful pilot project, researchers say. Cheang Hong, of the Potato Research Center at the Royal University of Agriculture, said a team spent several months studying weather conditions, potato varieties and farming. Mr. Hong said some varieties need cool weather while some need warm weather. They identified Mondulkiri as the best place to plant. He said potatoes could offer a yield in three months, and during the pilot program six metric tons were grown in a farm of less than one hectare. Mr. Hong said the project confirmed that potatoes can be grown in Cambodia, however the researchers were putting more effort into finding varieties to grow in provinces other than Mondulkiri.
