A canal in Takeo province that is bringing water to the beleaguered farmers of Bati district. Water resources ministry
Following protests by farmers, authorities have pumped water from the Bati River and Prek Tnaot canal to dry season rice fields across Takeo province’s Bati district. The action, taken on January 21, is intended to save approximately 4,000 hectares of rice fields.
Earlier that day, hundreds of farmers used tractors and motorcycles to block a main road for several hours, demanding intervention from local authorities and relevant ministries.
Upon learning of the protests, senior minister Kun Kim, vice-chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), along with Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Thor Chetha and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Dith Tina, led a team of irrigation specialists to meet directly with the farmers in Kandeng commune, Bati district.
The water resources ministry explained that the provincial water resources department, in collaboration local authorities, began pumping water from the Bati River through Stations 22 and 23, over a distance of 18 kilometres. The water was channelled into the main irrigation system to revive about 4,000 hectares of dry season rice belonging to 3,500 households.
The affected fields are located in Krang Thnong, Poth Sar, Kandeng, Champey, Trapang Sap, Chambak, Doung, Prey Ream and Tnaot communes.
Chetha also instructed a team from the water resources ministry to pump water from the Prek Tnaot through Canal 78 into the Bati River reservoir, which would then be distributed through the main irrigation system to irrigate the drought-affected fields.
The ministry stated that in the 2025 agricultural plan, the target for dry season rice cultivation in Bati district was just 2,000 hectares. Farmers planted 4,000 hectares despite insufficient local water sources to support such expansion.
Adding to the issue, the Prek Tnaot upstream area and the system supplying water to the Bati River reservoir were temporarily closed for repairs, leading to additional shortages.
Kun Kim (centre, red krama), vice-chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), addresses farmers who protested over water shortages in Takeo province. Water resources ministry
During a January 21 meeting with representatives of the Senate’s Third Committee, Chetha reported on the ministry's ongoing efforts to restore and construct new hydraulic systems, including flood protection and saltwater barriers. He noted that these efforts have reduced natural disaster risks, ensured water security and supported people’s daily lives, as well as supported agricultural production.
“As of 2024, the ministry expanded irrigation coverage to 1,969,843 hectares, including 1,387,051 hectares for wet season rice and 582,792 hectares for dry season rice,” he said.
He also pointed out challenges such as developing human resources for operational continuity, enhancing data systems for forecasting and early warnings, and addressing budget shortages for maintaining and repairing irrigation infrastructure. Climate change has exacerbated natural disasters, causing damage to water management systems, he added.
Authorities also reported pumping water to irrigate 483 hectares of dry season rice fields in Kratie province’s Prek Samann commune, in Chhlong district. Two machines were used to pump approximately 1.2 million cubic metres of water.
Over-expansion of dry season rice cultivation has led to water shortages in several of the Kingdom’s provinces. In Pursat, water supplies are sufficient for just 20,000 hectares, while cultivation has reached 58,770 hectares.
HayThura, director of the Pursat agriculture department, stated that currently, there is no water shortage in Pursat. However, shortages could occur next month for dry season rice.
“Some rice has already been harvested, and there was substantial rainfall earlier this month. We are closely monitoring the situation. For now, there are no immediate concerns,” he said.
He added that the agriculture and water resource departments, along with local authorities, would intervene as much as possible, should water shortages arise in the near future.
