Phnom penh: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has expressed gratitude to private companies and rice millers who are actively purchasing paddy rice from farmers at market and fair prices. The move comes as farmers in some areas in the country faced low prices during the harvesting period and the impacts of global rice market conditions.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, highlighted the vital role the private sector plays in national food security and farmer livelihood stability. “We extend our sincere appreciation to those millers and companies demonstrating corporate social responsibility by maintaining fair market prices,” he said in a video posted on the Ministry’s official Facebook page on Nov. 4.

In the video, H.E. Minister has inspected a local rice vendor operated by Vireak Bunthum firm, one of the private companies and millers, buying paddy rice from farmers with fair price for milling and for sales to domestic markets. ‘Their actions are a critical counterbalance to the price drops and provide much-needed confidence to our farming communities during this busy harvest,’ he added.

The Minister emphasised that buying at a reasonable rate ensures farmers can cover their production costs and sustain their operations, a key component of the government’s long-term agricultural stability strategy. The Royal Government of Cambodia has been working to provide special low-interest loans through the State-run Agricultural and Rural Development Bank to partner rice mills, specifically for the purpose of purchasing paddy rice from farmers at stable rates.