Khmer Times/Tin Sokhavuth

Sam Rainsy, the Cambodia National Rescue Party’s (CNRP) self-exiled president, spoke up for Khmers in the countryside on Monday via social media. “An increase in agricultural productivity is key to poverty reduction in the countryside,” he wrote. The post quickly garnered more than 20,000 “likes.”

According to the opposition leader, the majority of the produce found in Cambodian markets is imported from neighboring countries. This fact alone, he says, might explain why Cambodian agricultural products are barely able to compete with the same products from other countries in the international market, he suggested.

Mr. Rainsy added that because Cambodia imports the majority of its agricultural products, millions of Khmer farmers are losing money every year and cannot afford to repay their loans, leading to an exodus of farmers looking for jobs in Thailand.

read more: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/20149/rainsy--gov---t-has-abandoned-kingdom---s-farmers/

New Agriculture Strategy Aims to ‘Promote Exports’

Khmer Times/Sok Chan

Tuesday, 19 January 2016

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The Agriculture Ministry yesterday launched a strategy for the developing the sector, aiming to expand exports of agricultural products to spur economic growth through sustainable farming practices.

Agriculture Minister Ouk Rabun said the government has implemented many strategies and development plans to boost the agriculture sector to ensure food safety, generate jobs and increase revenue for farmers who comprise the majority of the Kingdom’s population.

“Advancement in the agricultural sector is the key to reducing poverty and increasing GDP and economic growth,” Mr. Rabun said.

read more: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/20133/new-agriculture-strategy-aims-to----promote-exports---/