Chetha: Water scarcity has been identified as a “key priority” for 2025

A total of seven new Farmer Water Utilizing Communities (FWUCs) will be established in 2025, bringing the total number across the Kingdom to almost 600. This initiative aims to increase efficiency and encourage farmers to take ownership of water management and use , especially during the dry season when water shortages are a challenge.

As of 2024, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has established 577 FWUCs across the country. In 2024 alone, the Ministry created 7 new municipalities and carried out technical inspections and support for 177 existing municipalities. This information was shared by Water Resources Minister Thor Chetha during a meeting on January 13.

In 2025, the Ministry plans to establish another 7 new communities, including 1 in Pursat, 2 in Kampong Chhnang, 2 in Kampong Speu and 2 in Kampong Thom. The ministry’s technical teams will also continue to inspect and provide support to 185 FWUCs across the country.

The FWUC was established to serve the collective benefit of citizens through the efficient and sustainable use of irrigation systems. Their goal is to improve the living conditions of citizens and promote the agricultural sector, in line with government policy on water resources management.

The minister explained that the meeting launched a campaign to spread awareness and empower these communities, which is one of the ministry’s main responsibilities.

“As the authority responsible for managing water and meteorological resources, we play a key role in educating citizens about available water resources for use in agriculture and everyday life,” he said.

He added that in previous years, during the dry season, the ministry, through a unified policy, informed citizens about the need to use water wisely. She also urged citizens to avoid planting a second or third crop, which could lead to water shortages and negatively affect crop yields.

The Ministry has also launched clearer and more detailed communication in 2025, providing clearer evidence to the public. Provincial water resources departments have mapped water availability and developed irrigation and daily water use plans to ensure better management at the local level.

Bun Hor, director of the Takeo department, said the province has 130 irrigation systems. Of these, 58 have the capacity to support rice cultivation in the 2024–2025 dry season, covering 83,550 hectares of first-season or draining rice. There are 64 systems for daily use and 8 systems that are not suitable for water retention.

He noted that in previous years, during the dry season, the ministry advised citizens and local authorities to save water due to low rainfall and low river levels. To avoid shortages, it was recommended to plant only one rice crop.

However, some citizens continued to increase rice cultivation beyond what was sustainable with available resources. In Banteay Meanchey, for example, the provincial department recommended planting rice on 16,000 hectares, while farmers grew rice on up to 90,000 hectares.

In Pursat Province, water resources were only able to supply farmers on 20,000 hectares, but the cultivated area increased to 58,770 hectares.

Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, met with the farming community in Kampong Speu Province on January 13. He warned them that some people were taking advantage of the situation for political purposes due to falling rice prices and water shortages during the drought. season.

“When we told them there was not enough water, they urged people to continue planting and then shouted that no one should stop planting,” he said.

“It wasn’t actually a ban, but a warning that the water was running out and they didn’t listen. Those who encouraged over-planting of rice also cried foul when rice prices fell,” he added.