Rice farmers looking at dry spell
Cambodian farmers and exporters have expressed concerns over an Agriculture Ministry notice issued on 23 December asking farmers to have only one harvest this upcoming dry season because of water shortages across the country, given that this could affect the paddy output next year.
The ministry notice cited a prolonged El Niño period going into next year and suggested that farmers refrain from planting a second rice crop, even if they had access to sufficient water. Instead, the ministry said farmers could plant other less water-intensive crops.