1. AFACI PROGRAM WORKSHOP ON FOOD CROPS
DISSEMINATION OF POTATO PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN CAMBODIA
Sorn Vichet and Lun Vanny
20-24 September 2016
Siem Reap, Cambodia

2. Welcome to Cambodia

3. ABOUT CAMBODIA
Area : 181,035 km2
Pop : 15 million

4. Environmental characteristics
Rainfall: 1250 – 2500 mm
January : lowest
October : highest
Humidity: %
March : lowest
September : highest
Day length : 11h - 13h
December : shortest
June : longest
Temperature: 23 – 33oC
December : lowest
April : highest
Evaporation: 2230mm/year
September : lowest
March : highest
Location:
102o to 108oE
10o to 15o N
Monsoon climate:
Dry season : November – April
Wet season : May – October

5. Rice Ecosystems of Cambodia
: Rainfed Lowland %
: Dry Season %
: Upland 1.9%
: Deepwater/ Floating 3.5%

6. Mission (as defined in Sub-decree No. 188 dated on 14.11.2008)
General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA)
Mission (as defined in Sub-decree No. 188 dated on )
Ensure food security;
Manage and control quality and safety of agricultural products;
Improve agricultural productivity through diversification;
Improve farmers’ incomes, through value added to agricultural products
Contribute to poverty reduction; and
Ensure market access for agricultural products.

8. Crop Production in Cambodia
 Agriculture is the most important industry for economic stability and growth of Cambodia.
 Rice is the main crop and used as for staple food and livelihood source for the majority of people.
 The total rice production increased from 5.99 million tons in 2005, to 9.23 million tons in 2014.
 Mungbean, soybean and peanut are suitable crops commonly grow in lowland paddy fields after wet season rice.
 Aims to produce sufficient food for all households, increase cash income, and improve soil fertility through crop rotation and multi-cropping.

11. But there is market for imported potatoes
Agricultural Crop Production area, 2014
Crop
Area (ha)
(%)
Production
(1000 Ton)
Rice
3,055,507 73
9,234
Cassava
521,459 12
11,943
Fruit tree
174,533 4
Maize
143,517 3
549
Soybean
72,511 2
104
Mungbean
53,294 1 60
Vegetable
51,637
415
Sugar cane
48,357
1,540
Sesame
28,170 17
Peanut
17,818
0.5 27
Tobacco
10,727
0.3
Sweet potato
5,915
0.1 54
Jute
192 -
Total
4,183,637
100
No potato production!
But there is market for imported potatoes

12. Potato : Possibility to produce in Cambodia?
There are many different types of potatoes classified between early, medium and late season potatoes
Potatoes have been grown on the ground, in car tires and in vitro tissue culture as well as hydroponics culture
Cambodia has imported almost 99% of potatoes from Vietnam and China where climate conditions are suitable
However, some provinces like in Mondoulkiri and Ratanakkiri of Cambodia, are considered possible areas for potato production
Little is known of the feasibility for growing potatoes in the area.

13. Dissemination of Potato Production Technology in Cambodia
GOAL:
The goal of this project is to identify and disseminate recommended potato seed varieties that have high yield, good quality, suitable growing duration.
OBJECTIVES:
To identify good quality potato seed varieties with high yield and short duration
To determine soil types, better timing of growing, and suitable locations for potato production in Mondoulkiri Province
To demonstrate and disseminate recommended potato varieties and management technologies to farmers and others involved.

14. Dissemination of Potato Production Technology in Cambodia
Outcomes
Identified suitable varieties and management technologies
Promotion of potato production in provinces, where suitable
Strengthened capacity of technicians and farmers on potato production technology.

15. Dissemination of Potato Production Technology in Cambodia
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Implement rapid assessment to explore conditions for potato growing, and identify existing potato varieties cultivated by farmers
Establish experimental sites in Monduolkiri Province
Select local and imported potato varieties and potato seed
Conduct trials to determine varieties, suitable duration, and climate for potatoes in the target sites
Determine characteristics such as yield, quality, timing of planting, and other suitable management practices
Collect plant samples for disease identification, with links to Plantwise
Demonstrate and disseminate the recommended potato varieties

16. Dissemination of Potato Production Technology in Cambodia
ACTIVITIES FOR THE FIRST YEAR (started in August 2016):
Rapid assessment on conditions for potato growing in Mondoulkiri
Establish experimental sites
Select local and imported potato varieties
Capacity building for conducting trials
Conduct trials
Identify potato varieties suitable with locations and high yield.