Prime Minister Hun Manet Friday visited a modern cashew nut farming community in Kampong Thom province and got first-hand information on cashew cultivation. He praised the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) for transforming family farming into a robust agricultural economic enterprise. He was specially impressed by the modern cashew nut farming community’s integration, economies of scale, and enhanced ability to compete in both quantity and quality. This is Mr Hun Manet’s first direct interaction with cashew farmers since he became the Prime Minister. Meeting with the Prasat Sambo Rong Roeung modern cashew nut community in Kaul commune, Prasat Sambo district, Kampong Thom province, the Premier learned a lot about the real situation of cashew cultivation, its benefits as well as the challenges faced by the farmers. Writing on his social media, Mr Hun Manet noted that Prasat Sambo Rong Roeung modern cashew nut community is one of three modern farming communities in Kampong Thom province which focused on cashew cultivation with 153 families and cover a production area of 644 hectares, with an expected yield of approximately 1,000 tonnes of wet cashew nuts. “We laud the community for its thoughtful planning, which includes a strategy to sell 70 percent of wet cashew nuts and 30 percent of dry cashew nuts. Additionally, they have arranged for contract farming, ensuring a 10-15 percent higher price for their products,” he wrote. In addition, the Prime Minister also appreciated the MAFF for implementing the 6th priority policy program of the Royal Government’s 7th term. “This program aims to transform family farming into a robust agricultural economic enterprise characterised by high integration, economies of scale, and the ability to compete in both quantity and quality,” he added. “Our economic development depends on the agricultural sector, and the Royal Government, since previous mandates, has given significant attention to cashew nuts. In this new mandate, we must further increase efficiency. The Ministry of Agriculture has developed a strategy by creating the modern farming communities, with the primary goal of helping farmers enhance cultivation efficiency and reduce costs,” Mr Hun Manet emphasised. According to MAFF, there are currently nine modern farming communities across six provinces, focusing on four types of crops including rice, vegetables, cashews, and pepper. So far, some of these communities have begun reaping the benefits and have gradually started distributing dividends. The ministry plans to expand the modern farming community to other crops with clear market connections, and also plans to expand its scope. Suy Kokthean, Vice President of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), told Khmer Times yesterday that Prime Minister’s visit and direct interaction with members of the modern cashew farming community in Kampong Thom province is a positive and encouraging sign, highlighting the governments and relevant institutions’ commitment to the development of this important agricultural sub-sector in Cambodia. “We believe that with the attention given to cashew crops from the top leadership to the bottom, this industry will no longer face any serious challenges. On behalf of the CAC, I am grateful for the thoughtful actions of the Prime Minister and all the leaders,” said Kokthean. The MAFF’s report shows that cashew plantations cover an area of about 580,117 hectares across Cambodia in 2024. Kampong Thom province has the largest cultivated area of around 147,700 hectares, followed by Kratie province with 102,500 hectares and Rattanakiri province with 97,200 hectares. Cambodia produced 850,000 tonnes of cashew nuts so far this year, up 26.8 percent and exported 815,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, up 31 percent. However, exports to Vietnam remained stagnant at 793,453 tonnes.