Drought hits 234,695 hectares of paddy fields in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Persisting dry conditions have affected approximately 234,695 hectares of rice seedlings in 16 Cambodian provinces and cities, according to a report released by the Ministry of Agriculture on Sunday.

"A lack of rain has affected a total area of 234,695 hectares of rice seedlings, in which 15,954 hectares have been completely damaged," the report said.

Rains usually begin to fall from May until October of the year, but this year, drought-like conditions have persisted for a long time that resulted in a lack of water.

The report said by the end of September, the Southeast Asian country has planted about 2.5 million hectares of rice paddies, 97 percent of the 2.57-million-hectare target.

Cambodia is an agrarian country with around 80 percent of the population being farmers. Last year, the country made over 9 million tons of paddy rice.

source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-10/04/c_134683840.htm