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PROJECT “NETWORK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
THINK-TAKS FOR COUNTRIES IN MEKONG-SUB REGION” (NARDT)

rate of mechanized area in rice production is 70%; the proportion of cultivated areas
associated with production-consumption is over 30%; profits for rice growers over
30%; reduce greenhouse gas emissions in rice production by 5%, etc.
3.2. Rice production support policy
3.2.1. Cambodia

Land Policy

In 2001, the Royal Government of Cambodia issued a new statement of land
policy for farming and agricultural purposes. The broad objectives were to improve
land tenure security and land markets (Article 11, 64, 75, 152, 154); prevent or resolve
land disputes (Article 25, 206); manage land and natural resources in an equitable,
sustainable, and efficient manner (Article 62 and 89); and promote land distribution
with equity (Article 17, 51). Land administration relates to issues including land
registration and dispute resolution. Social land concessions are implemented under
the pillar of land distribution, the goal of which is to encourage distribution with equity.
Land management policy aims to ensure the efficient, sustainable, and equitable use
of land and natural resources. To date, although a number of regulations relating to
land management issues have been passed, progress under the land management
pillar has been less significant than expected. In a 2009 Declaration on Land Policy,
the government again emphasized the importance of the three pillars 11.
Contract farming policy
Contract farming is seen as an effective mechanism to maximize the inclusion
of and benefits for small-scale farmers while giving some control over production to
agri-business without requiring land ownership. In Rectangular strategy stage II, the
Royal Commission initiate the “Open Paddy Rice Market”, which includes contract
farming to secure loans, high-quality seeds, and fertilizers for farmers. The contract
farming has improved the accessibility of farmers to better inputs, services from
sponsors; access to new technology; reduced price risk; and access to better markets
that are unavailable to farmers. While there are still problems with this policy, in
rectangular strategy stage IV, the Royal Government is promoting better access to
contract farming for farmers, by encouraging the “Contract Farming Law”. By 2030,
Cambodia expected that 50% of producers will enter contract-based farming.

Agricultural extension policy
For agricultural extension policy, in the Agriculture Masterplan for Crop
Production, the Royal Government is seeking new approaches for production,
including conservation agriculture, land leveling, and alternative wetting and drying
systems for improved water use management. Significant research and development
and extension of agriculture techniques have been undertaken by a number of
stakeholders, access to and adoption of new techniques and technology by farmers
and farming communities is quite limited (MAFF, FAO, 2015). MAFF aimed to improve
the agricultural extension service, by focusing on three key actors: farmers, researchers,
and extension institutions the linkage mechanisms include policy and regulations,
institutional structure and organization, and operations for the extension services
delivery. Also, the extension services will follow a well-coordinated, decentralized,
market-driven, and participatory approach. This will ensure that the services will
respond to user demand and emerging opportunities.

11 https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/topics/land-policy-and-administration/
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