Rice planting equipment gifted to Kampong Thom farmers

Eleven farming communities in Kampong Thom province have received rice planting equipment from the provincial agriculture department. This will improve productivity by speeding up rice production and reducing the labour required.

Pen Vanrith, director of the Kampong Thom Provincial Department of Agriculture, said that the programme was supported by the Tonle Sap Poverty Alleviation and Small-Scale Agriculture Development Project 2 at Throne Agricultural Station, Steung Sen City, Kampong Thom Province.

“These rice planting machines greatly improve the accuracy required to plant rice, and after the rice has been planted, it will grow in rows that are easier to maintain, which ensures that the rice gets enough sunlight and remains in good health,” he said.

11 devices have been distributed to 11 communities throughout the province. This is an automatic device, which utilises a laser, and the main benefit is that less seeds are used than farmers are accustomed to. This means it an easier crop to manage and maintain, while still achieving high yields.

The conclusions we have drawn from previous studies and demonstrations, are that when this machine is employed by farmers, as opposed to sowing the seeds by hand, the yields are increased markedly, he added.

Agencies