Written by YIM Sok Sophors
It is now the time for the rainy season rice production, started from June to December or January. At the beginning of June, I have visited Tramkak district of Takeo province and I observed that there were some rains in the villages and farmers had prepared seedbeds as well as plowed the rice field. At the same time, I saw that some farmers have already sown the rice seed in the seedbeds. Hopefully, they will transplant the seedling very soon afterward. During the visit, I have discussed with the farmers to pay attention for the selection of good/healthy rice seed as it is very necessary important to harvest a good yield at the end of the season.
Moreover, some farmers have already brought the natural manure to the field. In this year, the amount of natural manure is likely increased than the previous years. Furthermore, the farmers tend to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizer as the selling price is very expensive. At the present, I could note that the majority of farmers have understood well about the use of existing resources or low external input agriculture. Additionally, based on the discussion with some farmers in the villages, there are about 2-4 farmers per village who have totally abandoned chemical fertilizer in the whole size of their rice fields. It is really good that their rice fields are completely converted to organic field. The conversion period for rice production is normally 3 years. Concerning to the rice farmer producers, they hope that they will able to produce more yield for supplying to the local markets.
