The red corn production in 2024 increased to nearly 1.7 million tonnes compared to 1.5 million tonnes last year, reported the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) yesterday.
According to MAFF, Cambodia dedicated approximately 277,000 hectares of land to red corn cultivation in 2023, resulting in a substantial yield of over 1.5 million tonnes, with more than 71,000 tonnes exported.
The report further said that in 2024, the land for red corn cultivation increased to more than 280,000 hectares resulting in a substantial yield of nearly 1.7 million tonnes, but could only export 310 tonnes.
Yang Saing Koma, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, told yesterday that red corn is a crop that farmers grow for animal feed, and the domestic animal feeding seems to be on the rise.
“We see the domestic consumption of red corn increasing due to increasing of domestic animal feeding production. Thus, domestic consumption of red corn is also in high demand,” he said.
It may be noted that the provinces leading in red corn production are Battambang, Pailin, Thbong Khmum, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Cham, Kratie, Preah Vihear and Kandal province.
Although red corn production has increased this year, turning to Battambang, red corn cultivation seems to be slowing down this year.
Heng Sith, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Battambang, told Khmer Times yesterday that this year planting red corn has been difficult due to the hot weather.
“This year, farmers in Battambang province have just started planting about 30-40 percent of the land area due to the hot weather and they do not have enough water to grow corn. But currently they have started to grow,” he said.
Sith went on to add that if farmers had planted in March or April, they could have harvested in June or July. But they have not harvested because they have just started earlier last month in the area of about 30, 000 hectares to 40,000 hectares only.
Red corn is an important crop of Cambodia and the world as it has become more important agricultural product for animal feed processing and other uses in the food processing industry, both locally, regionally and globally.
