A nationwide vegetable cultivation initiative led by First Lady Pich Chanmony is providing food supplies to frontline soldiers, police and displaced families across Cambodia, according to government officials.
The programme, known as "Together for the Nation," mobilises schools, communities, pagodas and youth organisations to grow vegetables for distribution to areas affected by displacement and border tensions. In mid-December, Chanmony called for public participation in the initiative, which is coordinated in part through the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia.
© THE PHNOM PENH POST
On January 18, Chanmony joined students and Girl Guides in harvesting vegetables at Phnom Penh Thmey Primary School in Sen Sok district. Similar activities have taken place nationwide, with vegetables grown on school grounds, community land and pagodas.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported that on January 17, more than 2,000 kilogrammes of vegetables and 1,500 duck eggs were harvested at the Bat Thkav Safety Center in Oddar Meanchey province. The 2.5-hectare farm, established under the initiative with ministry technical support, can produce approximately 1,000 kilogrammes of vegetables per day for displaced residents.
Provincial authorities said displaced families in Oddar Meanchey are directly involved in growing and consuming the produce. Similar cultivation efforts are under way in border provinces including Kampot and Siem Reap, with support from provincial agriculture departments through the provision of seeds and technical assistance.
The agriculture ministry stated that the initiative aims to strengthen food security and nutrition for displaced populations and frontline personnel, with cultivation activities continuing in most provinces hosting displaced communities.
Source: asianews.network
