PHNOM PENH, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation with China is crucial to boosting and modernizing Cambodia's agricultural sector, experts said here on Thursday.
Keo Rithy, a representative of the newly established ASEAN (United) Agriculture Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, said the partnership yields mutual benefits and win-win results for both nations and peoples.
He said that China has become the Southeast Asian country's main supporter in this field, adding that China's highly advanced agricultural technology, capital, and techniques are vital for the kingdom's development.
"Although our land is fertile, we still lack production techniques, resources, and irrigation systems," Rithy said. "Compared to neighboring countries, our agricultural sector remains limited and requires significant improvement."
He emphasized that the ASEAN (United) Agriculture Chamber of Commerce stands ready to fully support Chinese investors looking to venture into Cambodia to help modernize the sector.
Seang Vibol, director of agricultural company CM Resources, highlighted that direct access to the Chinese market has greatly benefited Cambodian farmers by establishing long-term stability.
"It is crucial to create reliable markets for Cambodian farmers, so they can produce with a guaranteed market for their products," Vibol told Xinhua.
He said that applying China's successful, high-progress agricultural practices will equip Cambodian farmers with the technological knowledge needed to grow high-yielding crops, expressing strong confidence that China can significantly advance Cambodia's agribusiness landscape.
Driven by strong bilateral agricultural cooperation, Cambodia has directly exported milled rice, yellow bananas, mangoes, longans, coconuts, and durians to China.
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director at the China-ASEAN Studies Center of the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, highlighted this partnership as an economic lifeline that advances Cambodia's agricultural machinery and skills.
"China is a major agricultural market for Cambodia and a leader in agricultural modernization," he told Xinhua. "This cooperation helps Cambodia improve productivity, food security, technology, and access to international markets."
Mengdavid added that China's expertise in mechanization, irrigation, smart agriculture, improved seeds, drones, and digital farming offers valuable lessons, provided these technologies are adapted to Cambodia's local conditions.
He encouraged more joint research, demonstration farms, and investment in agricultural value chains.
"Supporting Cambodian products to meet Chinese market standards will help Cambodia transition from exporting raw materials to shipping higher-value agricultural goods," he said. ■