The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has commenced a noteworthy agricultural development initiative in Pursat province, Cambodia, to amplify rice production yields and implement sustainable farming innovations geared towards mitigating the environmental impact of expansive paddy agriculture.
This new venture is a continuation of the support and financial assistance provided by JICA to fortify the development of Cambodia’s western regions and bolster the economic conditions of rural communities.
Through a post on JICA’s official Cambodia Facebook channel, the organization outlined the primary goals of their new initiative, which primarily focuses on decreasing methane emissions from rice fields, refining water management systems in the region, and participating in the global fight against climate change.
Scheduled to run for a five-year period from April 2024 to March 2029, the project plans to introduce intermittent irrigation techniques to a number of rice farms within the province. Intermittent irrigation involves watering crops at intervals rather than maintaining a constant, flooded state often prevalent in traditional paddy farming. This method promotes soil aeration and significantly cuts down methane production.
If adopted widely across Cambodia’s agricultural sector, these irrigation practices could lead to a national transformation in crop production, fostering an environment of progressive and sustainable agriculture, as indicated by the agency.
The project will install the necessary irrigation infrastructure and develop water management systems optimized for use within the areas adjacent to the western banks of the Tonle Sap River.
A collaborative research team of Japanese and Cambodian experts is piloting the project at select locations within Pursat. Furthermore, the initiative is looking to facilitate the establishment of a carbon credit system to assist and motivate stakeholders engaged in ecologically sound agriculture, particularly within the rural sector.
The agency has noted that advancements in agricultural methodologies in the Pursat province are expected to alleviate rural poverty by bolstering rice production and increasing income for the sector.
The undertaking reflects a shared dedication between Japan and Cambodia to employ technology to address emerging environmental and socio-economic issues.
JICA, a prominent mechanism of the Japanese government in foreign aid administration, continues to support international development efforts geared toward the socio-economic progression of beneficiary nations.
The pressing initiatives in Pursat are a testament to JICA’s long-standing commitment to Cambodia’s development, which has seen numerous projects over the years.
One such notable project was ‘The West Tonlesap Irrigation and Drainage Improvement and Rehabilitation Project,’ which kicked off in 2016 and wrapped up in 2020. This extensive irrigation project was achieved through collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), encompassing six subprojects spread across several provinces, revitalizing over 13,393 hectares of land, and benefiting in excess of 12,000 households.
Additionally, JICA has recently injected an investment of about $22.2 million into ‘The Cambodia-Japan Water Treatment Plant’ in Pursat. Over a 24-month implementation period from August 2021 to the project’s inauguration in December 2023, substantial enhancements to the province’s water supply infrastructure were accomplished, doubling the production capabilities of the Pursat Water Supply Authority (PWSA).
According to MISTI, such investments are not merely short-term solutions; they signify strides toward the nation’s aspirations for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. JICA’s persistent backing in water infrastructure emphasizes an upwards trajectory in attracting investments and fostering the economic prosperity and community welfare in Pursat.
Source: Khmer Times
