Battambang: Cambodia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, H.E. Dith Tina, met with a farmers’ cooperative in Battambang province on Wednesday, highlighting a market-driven contract that guarantees a premium price for their rice.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the engagement with the Modern Safe Rice Farming Community in Moung Russey district showcased a new contract farming initiative for Sro Nge short-term rice, which secures farmers KHR950 (approximately US$0.23) per kilogramme.
In a meeting on Oct. 29, Minister Dith Tina emphasised that the price was not set by the Royal Government but was negotiated directly by the farming community with buyers, covering predetermined quality and quantity.
The Minister stated, ‘This agreement demonstrates the power of collective bargaining in modern agriculture. It is a market-based achievement that provides farmers with price and market security before a single seed is planted.’
The Minister reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to forming and strengthening such agricultural communities across the country. The strategy aims to restore productivity and economic stability for farmers through guaranteed contracts, reduced production costs, and enhanced technical assistance.