Cambodian Rice Production and Quality
BRM Agro works closely with its buyers to establish quality standards for each customer. We are currently exceeding standards for our exports to the European Union and welcome customers from other parts of the world.
Agricultural production is one of the four economic pillars of the Kingdom of Cambodia and rice is the most commonly cultivated crop in Cambodia. The crop yields 10 million tonnes in paddy production annually and accounts for more than 70% of Cambodia’s agricultural land while contributing 50% of its total agri output.
The largest centres of rice cultivation in Cambodia are Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Battambang, and Prey Veng.
- Cambodia produces a wide variety of high-quality rice with several types of export-quality fragrant rice, including the trademarked and international prize-winning Rumduol rice variety.
- Phka Rumduol has been awarded Best Rice in the World by the World Rice Congress 5 times - producing quality rice is not Cambodia’s issue.
- Rice production is increasing and Cambodian-sourced rice has reached a 10% share of the European market.
Challenges In Cultivating Rice In Cambodia
Cambodia does however lack post-harvest infrastructure. This includes contemporary and modern methods of storage, drying, and milling of rice which has led to persistent and significant economic, food, and climate security challenges for Cambodian rice farmers.
Rice farmers are also vulnerable to price fluctuations and are often forced to sell their unprocessed rice paddy to traders in neighbouring countries.
Traditionally, Cambodian rice farmers are impacted by the effects of climate change such as drought and flooding, as well as traditional farming methods which can be less productive - these further threaten traditional methods of planting and irrigating rice paddy.
Our Strength Is Our Collaboration With Farmers
BRM Agro strives to tackle these issues and offer a better processing capacity, better access to finance (such as working capital and export assistance), provide access to more quality storage, and wider established distribution systems to process and sell the rice domestically, internationally, or even back to Cambodian consumers.
Cambodian Seed Development
How We Help Cambodian Rice Farmers
We provide provisions for quality seeds, using modern farming methods, such as:
- Crop drone-spraying
- Access to modern drying and milling methods
- Enhanced logistics support
- Upfront financing
How Does BRM Agro Increase Capacity?
- We yield two rice crops per year rather than one.
- Emphasis on the production of high-quality rice varieties and reducing input costs.
- Providing farmers with a market outlet and prices that are USD $20-30 higher per MT (Metric Tonne) than
- BRM’s main competitors via a contract farming approach.
- Growth through sourcing rice from farmers on non-BRM Agro-owned land.
- Our Smallholder Farmer Support Team works closely with each farmer to ensure the highest possible yield and quality of rice is produced.
