Amru Rice, Golden Rice and Cambodia Agricultural Corporation (CACC) on Monday signed contracts to purchase more than 50,000 tonnes of organic rice and cassava this year from 37 agricultural cooperatives in Preah Vihear province, the announcement said.
Amru Rice has signed agricultural contracts with 37 agricultural cooperatives, comprising about 5,000 smallholder farmers, to purchase 25,000 tonnes of organic rice.
Similarly, Cambodia Agricultural Corporation (CACC) has signed contracts with nine agricultural cooperatives to purchase 25,000 tonnes of organic cassava and Golden Rice will purchase 1,200 tonnes of organic rice.
The announcement said agricultural production is focused not only on organic standards but also on products that comply with environmentally friendly agricultural standards to achieve the goal of low carbon emissions.
The signing ceremony was presided over by Mr. Sok Santara, Deputy Governor of Preah Vihear Province, Mr. Pueng Tryda, Director of the Preah Vihear Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr. Phan Samang, Director of the Preah Vihear Department of Commerce, Mr. Song Saran, CEO of Amru Rice and President of the Cambodian Rice Federation and the Cambodian Agricultural Corporation, Mr. Nuon De, President of the Preah Vihear Meanchey Agricultural Cooperatives Union, among other participants.
Mr. Santara said that Preah Vihear Province has been involved in contract farming since 2014, with the cooperation of agricultural cooperatives and Amru Rice under the supervision of the Preah Vihear Department of Agriculture, to support the commercialization of Cambodian rice.
He added, “Today’s event is a platform for sharing experiences, challenges and opportunities on the implementation of organic rice and cassava production under contract, and provides an opportunity for all participants to meet face to face to connect producers, suppliers and buyers (exporters), suppliers of agricultural products and agricultural services, as well as agricultural development partners.”
Mr. Santara also urged both companies, as buyers and farmers, to be honest with each other and abide by the terms of the contract in implementing effective and sustainable contract farming.
Mr. Song Saran said that Preah Vihear province’s rice reputation is well-known abroad, so the demand for rice is growing, especially in the US and EU rice markets. So far, Cambodia has exported rice to nearly 30 countries around the world.
“We believe that the only way to ensure long-term soil health and fertility that leads to sustainable and high-quality crops is through organic and environmentally friendly farming methods,” said Saran. These practices ensure that farmers can achieve high yields during the harvest season,” said Mr. Pueng Trida.
By 2024, Preah Vihear province plans to contract farm organic agricultural products to produce 43,800 tons, including 18,760 tons of organic rice, 25,000 tons of organic cassava, 200 tons of organic cashews, 10 tons of organic peanuts and 1 ton of organic sesame, with the help of 37 farming communities and all partner companies.
He added that the event not only demonstrates a continued commitment to market stability for farmers, but also an opportunity to integrate new organic standards on organic rice and cassava, which require a high level of commitment from farmers to obtain organic certification in accordance with European and US standards from the organic certification organization ECOCERT.
