PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is moving to position coffee and cocoa as primary strategic crops to drive economic growth in its northeastern provinces, as the Royal Government seeks to reduce imports and capitalise on rising domestic demand.
During a field visit to the PIDA Coffee Farm in Mondulkiri province on Sunday, H.E. Dr. Thun Vathana, Second Vice President of the Senate, emphasised that these crops represent a new frontier for the country’s agro-industrial sector.
The initiative aligns with a broader Royal Government policy to transform the northeast – traditionally known for rubber, cashews, and cassava – into a robust fourth economic pole.
“Coffee and cocoa should be integrated as additional strategic crops,” H.E. Dr. Vathana said, noting that current local production in Mondulkiri meets only an estimated 10 percent of domestic market demand. This supply gap, he added, presents a significant “golden opportunity” for farmers and private investors to expand cultivation and curb reliance on foreign imports.
To support this expansion, the Vice President called for enhanced technical training and research. Key recommendations from the visit include: Establishing collaboration between the Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture and private entities like PIDA Coffee Farm to develop specialised training programmes; Prioritising the development of high-quality, climate-resilient local seedlings to ensure sustainable yields for farmers; Strengthening technical expertise in agro-processing to meet international standards.
