Cambodian Rice Research Articles

Empirical Analysis on Economic Sustainable of Rice Rain-Fed Area in Rural Cambodia

This paper investigates the economic sustainability of Cambodian rural rice farmers. Rice in Cambodia is a stable crop just as in many other Southeast Asian countries. The rice plants not only provide food to people but also a source of feed for livestock. Based on survey about of 6 districts of the rural household in Battambang of Cambodia, a total 204 rice farmers were interviewed and multiple regression models was applied using the method of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) to determine the factors affecting the Crop-livestock farmers’ disposable income. The study aggregated the livestock of 3 species including cattle, pig and chicken in cattle unit standard known as Livestock Unit (LU). The result of the empirical analysis shows that many household demography factors as well as the socioeconomic factors influences the disposable income. The findings in the study provide an insight to the government and extension offices on effective development of economic sustainability of rice farming and livestock production system in the regions; investing more in public animal healthcare; ensure stable market prices for both rice and livestock, paying more attention on the factors limiting income in particular to poorer provinces and districts. Provide irrigation facilities accompanied with high technological varieties to encourage the double or even triple rice seasons. In addition, government (especially the ministry of agriculture) should embark on technological transfer among provinces and countries with successful agricultural system, orient farmers on the potential benefits of crop-livestock farming, provide training ground and scheme to local farmers.

Effect of Hormonal Priming on Seed Germination and Initial Growth of Cambodian Rice in Salt Stress Condition

Effect of Hormonal Priming on Seed Germination and Initial Growth of Cambodian Rice in Salt Stress Condition

Farmers’ Willingness to Purchase Weather Index Crop Insurance: Evidence from Battambang, Cambodia

The weather index crop insurance (WICI) scheme was introduced under a pilot project for rice in Cambodia in 2021. The adoption rate was low and the loss ratio was higher than 200%. The increase in farmers’ participation would help reduce the loss ratio, which can sustain the WICI scheme. This study, therefore, examines Cambodian rice farmers’ willingness to purchase WICI in Cambodia. The hypothesis is that the low adoption rate is due to a lack of awareness, lack of understanding of WICI, lack of trust in weather stations, and the problem of basis risk. This study would like to test the influence of those factors on the willingness to purchase in Cambodia. Battambang Province was chosen as the study area as it is the largest area for rice production and has the largest take-up rate of farmers buying WICI. Detailed interviews of 232 farmers were conducted in the districts of Bavel and Moung Ruessei. The probit regression model was used to identify factors that significantly impact farmers’ willingness to purchase WICI. The results indicate that land size, level of trust in weather stations, level of farmers’ understanding of WICI, and joining the WICI awareness program have positive effects on the probability of farmers’ willingness to buy WICI, whereas the number of household laborers and expectation of floods have negative influences. The probability of willingness to purchase by farmers who attended the awareness program on WICI was 38% higher than those who did not. The size of farmland, level of trust in weather stations, and level of understanding of WICI increase in one unit affecting the probability of willingness to purchase WICI by 4%, 16%, and 25%, respectively. On the other hand, the increase in the number of household laborers in the rice field by one person and the increase in the probability of expected flood increase by 0.1 drag back the probability of farmers’ willingness to purchase by 16% and 5%, respectively. The results suggest the government to raise the insurance awareness and understanding of WICI. Development of weather station infrastructure, as well as maintenance of weather stations, is needed to guarantee the accuracy of data generated from the weather station.

Productivity and market participation: Cambodian rice farmers

Rice is the staple food in many Asian countries. The study attempts to understand the underlying issues of low rice farm productivity and whether progress made on this front will lead to greater market participation. Employing a control function to address the endogeneity issue and using the latest survey of Cambodia’s agriculture sector, the paper finds that rice farmers are more likely to commercialize their crops when productivity rises. The probability rises by about 20 % with a ton increase in rice yields. This has an important implication; policies and reforms targeting farm productivity not only boost rice production, but also promote commercialization and possibly exports. In addition, enhancing productivity hinges, among others, on improvement in general education, expansion of irrigation, and pesticide usage, as well as increased adoption of aromatic paddies, sticky paddies, and modern varieties.

Cambodian rice farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding insect pest management and pesticide use

ABSTRACTInsect pests are a serious problem for rice farmers in Cambodia, threatening livelihoods and food security. To protect their yields, farmers are dependent on broad-spectrum pesticides, which has led to a pesticide ‘lock-in’ scenario. Our study aimed to better understand farmers’ current pest management practices and the underlying knowledge and attitudes driving these behaviours. We surveyed rice farming households (n = 168) from five different villages in Battambang Province, Cambodia. Survey respondents considered insect pests to be the most significant cause of yield loss. Respondents depended solely on chemical insecticides to manage insect pests. Combinations of agronomic and pesticide application practices contributed to pesticide dependency, including high seeding rate, insecticide timing and application rate. Additionally, 77% of respondents misidentified the beneficial lady beetle, Micraspis discolor, as a pest. Respondents indicated a desire for education and training on pest and beneficial arthropod identification, safe pesticide use, and improved cropping practices. We suggest critical areas for education and training are damage thresholds of local pests, the role of natural enemies, and improved awareness of pesticide toxicity and exposure. Promoting local knowledge sharing to engage and empower farmers to make informed decisions about their own pest management can forge a pathway away from pesticide dependency.

Diversity of Traits Related to Panicle Architecture and Grain Size in Cambodian Rice Germplasm and Newly Developed Mini-core Collection

Cambodia has a wealth of rice landraces (traditional varieties) adapted to different ecosystems. These are expected to include diverse genetic resources that could be utilized in the genetic improvement of yield. A detailed investigation of panicle architecture and grain size in 173 Cambodian accessions revealed a wide diversity in these traits. The diversity in improved cultivars (grown mostly in irrigated fields) was clearly reduced in most traits. Although diversity was reduced in the improved cultivars, the superior traits had contributed increasing productivity. On the other hand, the landraces conserved wide diversities. More than 80% of rice cultivation in Cambodia is still rainfed, with uncontrolled and limited access to water and nutrients. Therefore, it is difficult for uniform improved cultivars to adapt to such heterogeneous growing conditions. Although landraces may be inferior to improved cultivars in overall yield performance under favorable conditions, many are superior to improved cultivars in various characteristics. This indicates their value as resources for breeding for an increased yield. To efficiently identify and evaluate them, we developed a mini-core collection of 53 accessions that maintain the diversity of all accessions. The mini-core collection will be valuable for further detail genetic analysis and genetic yield improvement.

Lotus Foods’ Experience Developing Value Chains for SRI Rice

Since 2008, Lotus Foods, a US-based importer of heirloom and pigmented rice produced on family farms, has been sourcing marketable surpluses of rice grown by farmers using System of Rice Intensification (SRI) practices. It presently sources SRI-grown rice in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Lotus Foods’commitment is based on the recognition that SRI is a more efficient, environmentally responsible, and equitable way to grow rice, especially for smallholder producers. In the countries where it sources rice, it works with long-term business partners who aggregate the rice and process it for shipment, handling also certifications and quality control. In the US, Lotus Foods has the job of ensuring final quality, packaging, marketing, sales and distribution. While the company has increased the amount of SRI rice it imports over the past 10 years, it had expected to be importing a lot more. This is due to challenges on both the supply and demand side. This includes supply chain partners’ initial lack of experience in processing, business skills, and export, as well as access to credit and modern equipment. The price of Lotus Foods’ SRI rice in the marketplace is thus at the upper range due to premiums paid for organic and fair-trade certifications and supply chain inefficiencies. Nonetheless, pro-active outreach to educate American consumers and the food industry about the benefits of SRI has resonated with both and generated growing support for the company’s pioneering efforts to help “change how rice is grown around the world”.

Willingness to Pay for Weather-Indexed Insurance: Evidence from Cambodian Rice Farmers

This study examines Cambodian rice farmers’ willingness to pay for the weather-indexed insurance (WII) proposed to manage the financial impact of shifting monsoon rainfall patterns in Battambang Province in north-western Cambodia. Detailed interviews are conducted in the districts of Bavel and Thma Koul. We first analyse farmer respondents’ socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, climate change perceptions and experience, risk attitudes, and awareness of insurance. The binary logistic model is used to identify factors that significantly impact farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for WII. Our results show that farmers in general had lower awareness of how to use innovative financial products to adapt to extreme weather. The results also demonstrate that farmer respondents’ marital status, the number of off-farm labourers, and the farm size have a positive effect, whereas the number of children in the household has a negative effect on farmers’ WTP for WII. Specifically, being married, an increase of one off-farm labourer, and an increase of one hectare (ha) of farmland increase the probability of demand for WII by 38.6%, 21.4%, and 5.1%, respectively. In contrast, an increase of one child reduces the probability of WII demand by 9.7%. We also identify challenges confronted by Cambodian farmers for participating in the proposed WII scheme and provide relevant recommendations to overcome these challenges.

Modelling climate change impacts on wet and dry season rice in Cambodia

AbstractIrregular rainfall, rising temperatures and changing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are projected to reduce crop yields and threaten food security across the tropical monsoon sub‐region. However, the anticipated extent of impact on crop yields and crop water productivity (CWP) is not yet thoroughly understood. The impacts of climate change on rice yields and CWP are assessed over the Northern Tonle Sap Basin in Cambodia by applying the AquaCrop model into the mid‐ (2041–2070) to long‐future (2071–2099) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) (4.5 and 8.5). Short (95 days), medium (125 days) and long (155 days) cycle varieties are tested during the wet and dry seasons. An assessment of different sowing dates and irrigation strategies (fixed and net irrigation during the dry season) elucidated the variation in response to changing environmental conditions. Higher yields (+15% by 2041–2070 and +30% by 2071–2099) and CWP values (+42% by 2071–2099) are expected if using short‐cycle varieties, in particular when sown in July. Dry season rice yields are also projected to increase (+28% by 2071–2099), especially under a higher greenhouse gas emission scenario (RCP 8.5) compared to a medium emission scenario (RCP 4.5) as a result of the CO2 fertilization effect. Depending on the climatic scenario, rice variety, irrigation scheme, and sowing date, increasing heat and drought‐stress conditions are likely to have different impacts on rice yields and CWP over time. Overall, this study highlights the benefits of adjusting crop calendars to identify the most suitable irrigation schedules and rice varieties to effectively adapt to projected future climate.

Risk analysis of the rice supply chain in Cambodia

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the risks faced by the Cambodian rice supply chain (RSC), including risk identification, risk investigation and risk management.Design/methodology/approachThe first qualitative area of exploration from this exploratory sequential design is to identify the potential risks, in which the authors conduct in-depth interviews with ten different experts in Cambodia. Using the structural equation model (SEM) in AMOS and descriptive statistics analysis, this study investigates the risks that affect the RSC performance on an environmental, social and economic basis and subsequently proposes risk management strategies. The authors collect quantitative data from 200 Cambodian farmers through interviews and surveys.FindingsThe results illustrate that the farm households face 18 risk factors. The researchers consolidate 18 risk factors into four classifications: supply risks, production risks, demand risks and environmental risks. Nine experts out of the ten who were interviewed (90%) consider themselves “highly vulnerable” (with a rating of 4 or 5 on the Likert scale), while only one expert has a “neutral” stance (with a rating of 3 on the Likert scale); these results concerning risk identification are visualized in the likelihood effect matrix of the RSC. After investigating the risks, the authors found that RSC performance is significantly affected by the RSC risks. In particular, four groups are created, representing two different approaches to mitigate, avoid, transfer and cope with agricultural risks, i.e. ex ante and ex post risk management strategies.Originality/valueThis study fully answers research questions regarding risk identification, risk investigation and risk management.

Placing Cambodia’s agrarian transition in an emerging Chinese food regime

ABSTRACT Based on research about Cambodia's rice sector, this article explains how an emerging Chinese food regime contributes to local agrarian transitions. It argues that Chinese-Cambodian trade deals for jasmine rice, alongside Chinese investment in rice mills and irrigation, have intersected with pre-existing relations of production to make farmers' dependence on export commodity markets more precarious. In turn, farmers have received minimal state support, because national policies in Cambodia prioritize domestic agrarian capital over small farmers. This article advances food regime scholarship by analyzing the multiscalar processes, actors, and negotiations that produce specific agrarian transitions.

Bio-Green Foliar Spray Enhances Rice Growth and Productivity in Cambodia

The use of bioproducts as biostimulants to stimulate plant growth and to increase yields as an alternative to chemical fertilizers are currently being promoted for cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices of crop production systems. The objective of the study was to determine plant growth and productivity of rice responded to Bio Green application. A short growing period (90 – 95 days) OM-5451 rice variety was used in this study. The rice plants were cultivated in the randomized-completed block with two treatments and six replications in the plot of 2 m * 2 m. Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer was applied once at a rate of 100 kg/ha. For treatment, Bio-green with a solution of 1% (v/v) was weekly applied as foliage spray; and without Bio-Green as control. The results showed the grain yield was 3.7 t/ha in the treatment and 2.83 t/ha in the control, indicating that 36.4% of the grain yield was increased. The Bio-Green could be significantly used as plant biostimulants to promote plant growth and grain yield in rice in Cambodia.

Reducing Pesticides and Increasing Crop Diversification Offer Ecological and Economic Benefits for Farmers-A Case Study in Cambodian Rice Fields.

Simple SummaryIntensified rice cultivation is mostly associated with high input of pesticides. Beneficial arthropods decrease in such environments while pesticide-resistant herbivores can increase, which, in turn, leads to even higher pesticide applications. To break the vicious circle, it is important to implement sustainable farming approaches. Here, we tested such an approach called “ecological engineering” (EE), where non-rice crops were grown in the surroundings of rice fields to provide additional food sources for beneficial arthropods. Farmers did not spray EE fields with pesticides in contrast to conventionally farmed fields, which had no crops in the surroundings, serving as a comparison. Additionally, we included control fields, which were neither treated with pesticides nor had crops in the surroundings. We interviewed farmers to obtain insight about their preference for crops growing in the surroundings and their willingness to use this approach. Our results showed that the yield of EE rice fields was equal to that of conventionally farmed fields. In addition, the benefit–cost ratio was highest for EE and the control fields highlighting their economic advantage. The abundance of parasitoids was lower in conventionally farmed treatments. The proper implementation of EE in combination with farmers’ choice of crops is a promising solution towards sustainable rice production.Rice production is often associated with high pesticide input. To improve farmers’ practice, sustainable management approaches are urgently needed, such as ecological engineering (EE), which aims at enhancing beneficial arthropods while reducing pesticides. Here, we implemented and tested EE in Cambodian rice fields by comparing: (i) fields not treated with pesticides (control); (ii) fields not treated with pesticides but with non-rice crops planted in the surrounding (EE); and (iii) conventionally farmed fields using pesticides (CR). Using benefit-cost analysis, we compared the economic value of each treatment. The non-rice crops preferred by men and women farmers as well as farmers’ willingness to implement EE were assessed using surveys. We sampled arthropod abundance and richness in rice fields and bunds during two seasons. During the dry season, we compared EE and CR among three Cambodian provinces. During the wet season, we specifically assessed the differences in EE, control and CR in arthropod abundance and rice yield in one province. While withholding from using pesticides did not result in a decrease in yield in EE and control treatments, parasitoid abundance was higher in both treatments during the wet season. The benefit–cost ratio was highest for EE and control treatments. Pesticides were likely the main driver causing low arthropod abundance, without any benefit towards increased rice yield. The proper implementation of EE coupled with farmers’ knowledge of ecologically based pest management is a promising solution towards sustainable rice production.

Effects of Irrigation Facilities Development on Cultivation Management and Productivity of Rice in Cambodia: Implications Based on Comparison of Adjacent Irrigated and Nonirrigated Areas in Pursat

Effects of Irrigation Facilities Development on Cultivation Management and Productivity of Rice in Cambodia: Implications Based on Comparison of Adjacent Irrigated and Nonirrigated Areas in Pursat

Primary Volatile Aroma Compounds in Phka Rumduol, Cambodia

Phka Rumduol is a leading variety in Cambodian rice. Analysis and qualification of volatile aroma compounds of Cambodian rice were not reported yet, limiting a few papers about only 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP). Although Cambodia has been very impressive and progressed for milling rice exports over the last 10 years, rice qualities in her value chain are still remained much more improvement, especially in domestic market. In this paper, volatile aroma compounds in Phka Rumduol (brown rice), cultivated by Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) was analyzed by gas chromatograph mass spectrum (GCMS) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). As the results, 2-AP and other 21 aroma compounds were detected. Its flavor dilution (FD) factor of 2-AP was extremely high at 10,000. Since 2-AP was dominant aroma in Phka Rumduol, the analytical measure of 2-AP by solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and gas chromatograph (GC) in rice kernels were investigated. With the purpose to compare qualities between Phka Rumduol (CARDI) and Phka Rumduol purchased in a Cambodian market (commercial), 2-AP concentration of both samples, the changes of 2-AP by different milling degrees, using both samples and 2-AP concentration in red kernels in commercial were analyzed. The results showed that 2-AP of Phka Rumduol (CARDI) and Phka Rumduol (commercial) were 800 and 380 ppb respectively, that after 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 minutes-milling, the 2-AP in CARDI ranged in 800 to 420 ppb, while commercial did in 380 to 250 ppb and that 2-AP of whole red kernels in commercial was 50 ppb. From the results changes of milling time, 2-AP was located more in out-layer than inside of rice kernel. Phka Rumduol (CARDI) was very good qualities, while Phka Rumduol (commercial) showed less 2-AP concentration with larger percentages of broken, red kernels and lower qualified kernels like immature, chalky, damaged ones etc. Aroma which is one of important factors for Cambodian consumers will be decreased by rice type and grade of processing in market. This paper also referred a little to decrease in qualities by excess milling and/or polishing.

Integrated Management of Weeds in Direct-Seeded Rice in Cambodia

The objective of this work was to determine the value of improved establishment methods and herbicide applications as alternatives to high seeding rates to improve weed suppression in rice. Field experiments were carried out in 2010 and 2011 to determine optimal seeding rates and seeding methods with and without weed competition in wet-seeded rice. Under wet seeding conditions, drum seeding at 80 kg ha−1 was the most profitable treatment for both weed-free and unweeded rice. Although pre-emergence herbicides are beginning to be adopted in wet-seeded rice, they are seldom used in dry direct-seeded rice in Cambodia. Experiments were carried out in 2018 and 2019 to test crop tolerance and the efficacy of butachlor, oxadiazon, pendimethalin and pretilachlor applied post-sowing and pre-emergence to dry direct-seeded rice. Oxadiazon and butachlor, with the option for a post-emergence herbicide, provided effective weed control and a high grain yield in dry direct-seeded rice. Pretilachlor did not effectively control weeds under dry seeding conditions. Although pendimethalin exhibited good weed control, crop damage was a risk in poorly prepared seedbeds which typify Cambodian rice systems. With an effective integrated weed management strategy, it might be possible to safely reduce seeding rates below 80 kg ha−1 using drum or drill seeding machines.

Climate risk management strategies and food security: Evidence from Cambodian rice farmers

This study investigates the adoption of three climate-resilient strategies (3CRS), drought/flood-resistant rice varieties, integrated pest management (IPM) practices, and weather advisory; the impact of 3CRS on food security, namely, productivity and profits of the Cambodian paddy farmers. Using endogenous switching regression (ESR) approach and household survey from Cambodian farmers, the study finds a low adoption rate (14%) of 3CRS. The low adoption of 3CRS means missing opportunities for rice farmers. Access to information through training and input suppliers is found to increase the adoption of 3CRS. The adoption of 3CRS increases rice yields and profits by 36% and 45%, respectively. Additionally, if nonadopters adopted 3CRS, rice yields and profits would increase by 55% and 52%, respectively. Findings suggest the development of institutional capacity, implementation, and dissemination of knowledge of climatic changes, and adaptation strategies to increase food security.

Rapid Diffusion of Combine Harvesters in Cambodian Rice Farming: A Business Analysis

Combine harvesters have become widely used in recent years in rice farming in Cambodia on a custom-hiring basis. This study examines factors promoting investment in combine harvesters and the effects of the surge in new entrants in the custom-harvesting business. Analysis of 30 custom harvesters’ data collected by the researcher in Takeo province indicates that the high profitability of the business, decrease in interest rate, and increasing price of land used as collateral prompted land-rich households to enter the custom-harvesting business by taking large loans from financial institutions. The secondhand combine harvesters’ market in Vietnam has helped custom harvesters to sell their used machines to buy new ones. The surge in new entrants to the business, however, has driven down custom-harvesting service fees and has, thus, made the business unprofitable. This has partly been caused by financial institutions that have continued to provide funds to new entrants without anticipating excessive entry into the custom-harvesting business.

Rapid diffusion of combine harvesters in Cambodian rice farming: a business analysis.

Combine harvesters have become widely used in recent years in rice farming in Cambodia on a custom-hiring basis. This study examines factors promoting investment in combine harvesters and the effects of the surge in new entrants in the custom-harvesting business. Analysis of 30 custom harvesters’ data collected by the researcher in Takeo province indicates that the high profitability of the business, decrease in interest rate, and increasing price of land used as collateral prompted land-rich households to enter the custom-harvesting business by taking large loans from financial institutions. The secondhand combine harvesters’ market in Vietnam has helped custom harvesters to sell their used machines to buy new ones. The surge in new entrants to the business, however, has driven down custom-harvesting service fees and has, thus, made the business unprofitable. This has partly been caused by financial institutions that have continued to provide funds to new entrants without anticipating excessive entry into the custom-harvesting business.

Relative export competitiveness of the Cambodian rice sector

PurposeIn this paper, the authors derive time-varying relative export competitiveness (REC) of the Cambodian rice sector from 1995 to 2018 and examine the key determinants of the REC.Design/methodology/approachThree different REC indexes are calculated in this paper. The authors also developed the relative symmetric export competitiveness (RSEC) index for calculation of comparative advantage. The short-run regression (SRR) model was applied for capturing the determinants of the REC.FindingsThe study results reveal that Cambodia's rice exports became relatively competitive over time. The key findings suggest the Cambodian REC was strengthened as a result of a successful implementation of rice policy and rectangular strategy. The benefits gained from EBA and BRI were found to be the factors contributed to the REC. The higher per capita income had a positive effect on the REC, while higher domestic prices reduced the REC in some phases of the sectoral development.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed in two directions. First, the future studies might focus on other agro-products of Cambodia. Second, the development of the crop-specific factor endowment (CFE) model to consider the effect of endowment factors on the REC could be preferred in light of the data availability.Originality/valueThe research enriches the literature on the agricultural trade and provides a basis for further studies. This work makes a few contributions. First, it is the first study on the REC analysis for the Cambodian rice sector. Second, the latest 24-year data sets were covered. Third, a wide range of comparisons of REC among the world's top rice exporters was provided following implications of the various economic policies and foreign policy strategies, such as RS, EBA and BRI.