Rice in Cambodia Rice in Cambodia Rice has always been an important part of the diet and culture of Cambodian people. Its importance is well documented in reliefs on ancient temples and in the annals of early Chinese traders. Non-Governmental Organisations play a key role in the development of the agricultural sector. The Aim of CIAP CIAP aims to increase national rice production and the productivity of rice farming systems through human resource and institutional development, scientific research, and the development of new and sustainable rice-based technologies appropriate to Cambodian conditions. In this way a major contribution is being made to improve the livelihoods of present and future generations of rice farmers and the general economy of Cambodia.
Specific attention is given to developing technologies appropriate for resource-poor farmers.
Only two of the six survived the civil war. In spite of this, rice germplasm in Cambodia was collected by IRRI in December 1972 and January 1973. Between 1981 and 1990, IRRI re-introduced 766 traditional Cambodian rice varieties to Cambodia. The task of rebuilding the Cambodian national agricultural research system is daunting. During the 1970s most scientific records, research facilities, and rice germplasm were lost.