Organic vegetable and chemical vegetable from neighboring countries

Most of vegetables are imported from neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Thailand in order to distribute in Cambodia market. A massive importation of vegetable from those countries is because Cambodian farmers cannot supply domestic-planted vegetable to local market such as restaurants, and hotels.

Generally, it is noticed that most vegetable bought from neighboring countries are used pesticide and chemicals that are affecting Cambodian people and consumers in Cambodia. That is the matter that the Cambodia government has to take immediate action against chemical vegetables imported within Cambodia market.

What is important is that the government has to encourage local farmers to plant vegetable which is used natural fertilizers instead of pesticides and chemicals. We know that most of restaurants and hotels really need regular supply for their business if the supply cannot meet their demand. They will find out oversea suppliers.

Organic vegetable production has many advantages for farmers - especially in developing countries. Expensive fertilizers and pesticides don’t have to be bought or even imported. Seeds can be produced by local farmers themselves. But the farmers’ knowledge about organic production is usually limited. In order to fill this gap the NGO CEDAC (Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture) organizes trainings in which farmers learn the skills of organic production.

Cambodia Organic Rice

What is organic rice? organic rice is the kind of rice that Cambodian people grow without using chemicals and it does not affect human being's health. Neighboring countries always use pesticide to kill insects and chemicals into their rice fields in order to make rice grow fast and have a great deal of products. 

By the way, most of Cambodian farmers has turning into using chemicals and have started using natural fertilizers such as compost because it helps keep soil good from year to year. In addition, farmers also make compost by themselves.

Cambodian people are depending on agriculture, three-quarters of 14 million population, in a country where the average daily income is less than US$2 making cost-efficient and healthier, organic farming attractive.

According to Centre d'Etude et de Developpement Agricole Cambogien (CEDAC), rice yields per hectare for farmers who have gone organic have almost doubled and seed requirements have fallen by 70 to 80 percent. This means an income rise per hectare to $172 from $58, as organic rice is sold at a premium.

Organic farming is not just restricted to rice paddies. The farmers are encouraged to channel rain water for irrigation, creating more ponds and canals which can be used to breed fish. As Cambodia slowly leaves its war-scarred past behind and people, especially in the cities, have more cash to spare, interest is growing in healthier living, giving a further boost to organic farming. The government is also hoping the country will eventually secure a footing in the health-conscious international market for organic food.

Cambodian Silk Products

Cambodian farmer joined in exhibiting Cambodian silk products at Khmer product expo in Phnom Pneh. Cambodia’s tradition of silk dates back to Angkor times.  Today, the revival of the weaving and sericulture of Khmer “golden” silk produces a unique modern style that merges the best of hand-made traditions with the newest designs to produce luxury silks.

Cambodian silk products are prized by silk collectors. Most of Cambodian silk available in Cambodia is hand-loomed using the traditional ikat method of dying the threads and looming in the patterns.

Both raw and fine silks are available in the form of bolts, sarongs, clothing and various handicrafts. Cambodian silk is available at the Russian Market and silk shops and boutiques across town, many specializing in silk creations such as tailored Asian and Euro-Asian fashions, fashion accessories and soft furnishings.