Irrigation system as a vital angle to boost agriculture productions

By Sim Socheata

In my recent work trip to the Mekong delta region of Vietnam, I got the opportunity to witness the first-hand analysis and articulation of the vital role that irrigation system have in the agriculture production of this country. My observation below is made in relation to my experience doing research in rural Cambodia early this year and built on other engagements in relation to agriculture strategy in Cambodia.

In two small villages along Vam Nao River in An Giang province of the Mekong Delta, the government constructed the irrigation system back into 2003 as a long term strategy to enhance the agriculture production in this country. Before 1975 (Vietnam war period) farmers could only grow one rice crop a year; between 1975-2003, the frequency increased to twice a year and after the construction of the irrigation system of Vam Noa North, they could produce three rice crops per years, 8 crops for three years in a row. If three crops per year, that should make it 9 crops per three years; however, the rule is to leave one crop growing season free so that the annual Mekong flood season will bring sediment to enrich the soils fertility. This strategy is enforced by the farmers met during the discussion. In addition increase frequency of rice growing, farmers also grow other cash crop such as taro, corn, chilly for domestic and inter-provincial trading.

This is interesting for me because when I reflect this agricultural strategy to the one Cambodia has put out, it is quite a different observation. It is well know that the ‘white gold’ strategy of Cambodia aims to export a million ton of rice to the international market by 2015. While this commitment is far from realizing by 2015, this year, Cambodian people especially economists and the rice miller association and its allies are very proud to celebrate the winning of World Best Rice for the year 2014, three years in a row since 2012. Yet the irrigation system in Cambodia has a long way to before its farmers could produce on a regular basis more than two crops per year. At this stage, many farmers still rely on rain water for rice growing. Besides the list of ten rice crops as priority seeds for farmers to grow, and awareness raising to promote and provide these seeds/crops to farmers, there are still strategic investment for the Cambodia to take into account including the appropriate use of agriculture inputs such as fertilizer and pesticide; some form of regulatory framework to on the price of rice for small holders farmers; greater access to credit for rural farmers at a subsidy price, not a usurious rate of over 30% per annum as currently charge.  Do we even close anything near to thinking about the bank of the poor where credit is provided at less than 5% per annum?

Rice grain placing on the side of the road to get dry before packing and transporting in Takeo border with An Giang province. Photo by the author.

I am not having a mind of the economist or traders but it is important that in the development strategy for such a backbone of the country economy as agriculture sector, Cambodia government needs strategy that is more than just accommodate/facilitate the needs of rice exporting body, or the mere private sector/companies that control the price of rice as well as the price of the agriculture inputs such as chemical fertilizer and pesticides. The government should also look to address a. the challenges faced by small holders farmers across the country in term of access to irrigation system that will have sufficient water for rice and other crops; b. enhance technical knowledge and skills for small holder farmers to be able to adapt to the changing environment in agriculture production; c. provide greater access to low and affordable credit for farmers; d. greater budget allocation to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (including increase budget for district level staff of Office of Agriculture) so that they are able to be able to address some of the needs of the farmers. Lastly, it is important that Cambodian government provides market protection to small holders farmers in term of price of rice. 

If the government is truly committed to put agriculture sector as the forefront of the economy, it is possible to put more investment in this sector, to listen to and address the need of small holders farmers. We can look around our neighboring countries and learn from their good practice, in term of irrigation system, in term of agriculture subsidy and greater protection to farmers so that we could proudly compete at the international market. And we have the meant and the resource to do so but we need the political will from the leaders to do so. 

Endless rice field in Takeo province border with Vietnam. Photo by author.