Rice Farmers Struggle Despite Production Growth
High production costs and a lack of government assistance is keeping rice farmers near the poverty line despite unprecedented growth in the sector, according to a new study released by local microfinance institution Intean Poalroath Rongroeurng (IPR). The independent study, conducted by two Cambodian researchers and two anthropologists from Sweden’s Uppsala University, examines rice farms in Takeo province and the costs of plant medicine and raw materials such as seeds and fertilizer. Those items alone equal more than 40 percent of the revenues earned from harvested rice, according to the study, which was released Thursday. Other costs such as labor, machinery irrigation, fuel and interest on loans must be paid with whatever is left over. As a result, most farmers are still living on 2,500 riel, or about $0.66, per day or less, while others operate at a loss and rely on remittances from family members who have migrated to Phnom Penh or Thailand. …
