FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - CAMBODIA (4 June)
The main current agricultural activities include the completion of the harvesting of dry season paddy crops, estimated at 0.8 million tonnes, and planting/transplanting of main wet season rice due for harvest from November. The total 2001 paddy production, including 3.3 million tonnes of the main crop harvested earlier in the year, is estimated at 4.1 million tonnes, some 2 percent more than the previous season and above average for the third consecutive year. A preliminary forecast for 2002 indicates paddy production at 4.7 million tonnes from a planted area of 2.2 million hectares.
Maize production in 2001 is estimated to have increased by about 18 percent to 185 600 tonnes. The current season’s maize harvest is forecast at 185 000 tonnes from an area of 80 000 hectares. Availability of inputs is reported to be normal with the exception of vaccines and veterinary equipment, which are reported to be inadequate.
Despite the overall satisfactory food supply situation resulting from these successive bumper harvests, the communities affected by serious floods in previous years are still in need of food assistance.