Cambodia Asks FAO to Help Strengthen Weather Services for Farmers
Cambodia’s Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, Thor Chetha, asked the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to help strengthen agrometeorological networks, early warning systems and local expertise.
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Cambodia has asked the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to help improve the weather and climate information that the country’s farmers depend on.
Key points
- On 22 October 2026, Minister Thor Chetha asked FAO to support Cambodia’s agrometeorological networks and early warning systems.
- The request also covers mobilising resources and training local staff.
- He met Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative to Cambodia, at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.
- FAO already supports the ministry through the PEARL project in the northern Tonle Sap Basin.
The request
Thor Chetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, made the request when he met Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative to Cambodia, and her team at the ministry on 22 October 2026. He asked for support to strengthen agrometeorological networks and early warning systems, mobilise resources and build local expertise, so that the ministry can deliver sustainable, high-quality public services.
What agrometeorology is for
Agrometeorology applies weather and climate data to farming: when to plant, irrigate or harvest, and how to prepare for floods and droughts. The minister said his ministry treats weather and climate services as a vital public function that supports agricultural productivity, water resources management, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
The aim, he said, is for timely, reliable and actionable weather and climate information to reach farmers and other users.
An existing partnership
Thor Chetha thanked FAO for its long partnership with Cambodia. FAO already supports the ministry’s agrometeorological services, climate resilience work and staff development through the PEARL project (Public-Community-Private Partnerships for Eco-Friendly Agriculture and Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in the Northern Tonle Sap Basin).
The meeting came a day after Bell, who is leaving her post, met the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation to discuss cooperation on food safety and standards.
Frequently asked questions
What did Cambodia ask FAO for?
Support to strengthen agrometeorological networks and early warning systems, mobilise resources and train local staff at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.
What is the PEARL project?
An FAO-supported project on eco-friendly agriculture and climate-resilient livelihoods in the northern Tonle Sap Basin, which also supports Cambodia’s agrometeorological services.
D’après les informations de Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP), avec son autorisation.
