Australia Provides Multi-million Funds to Improve Irrigation Systems in Cambodia

• 5 March 2019
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CAVAC irrigation systems

The government of Australia, through the Cambodia Agricultural Value Chain Program (CAVAC), has recently provided US$7 million funds to help construct four irrigation systems in Prey Veng province, to boost the kingdom’s agricultural infrastructure.

Located in Preah Sdach, Peam Cho, Kampong Trabek, and Peam Ro districts, the schemes will provide year-round water access to more than 1,500 farming households, allowing them to grow their crops two or three times each year.

According to a press release on the Australian Embassy Phnom Penh website on 28 February 2019, the schemes include the construction of main canals together with multiple sub-canals, so that the farmers in isolated areas will also be able to access water.

After completion, the project will help the local farmers improve their productivity which will result in increased incomes.

In addition to the schemes, CAVAC has also established a training program called Farmer Water User Communities (FWUCs) to help educate farmers how to operate and maintain the irrigation schemes.

Since 2010, CAVAC has constructed and rehabilitated a total 30 irrigation schemes in many provinces across the kingdom including Kampong Thom, Kampot, Takeo, Prey Veng, and Kandal provinces. CAVAC is the Australian Government’s largest aid program in Cambodia, with a total provision of US$92 million between 2010 and 2021.

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