Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon has asked the Kandal provincial fisheries department to promote local aquatic farming in a bid to supply domestic demands and to reduce fish import from neighboring countries.
At the distribution of fish breeds, fry, frogs and plastic tents to more than 50 families and aquafarmers in Khsach Kandal district, Sakhon said reduction of fish import from abroad will expand the local fish production market and encourage local communities to continue their aquatic farming to supply domestic demands.
“We encourage local communities to continue their fish farming so that we can support demand in our country with our own produce,” he said.
According to a recent report, up to now, Cambodia has 516 fishing communities, of which 475 are freshwater and 41 marine, 677 fisheries conservation areas, 895 community ponds, and 309 fish hatcheries, of which 269 are owned by farmers, with a total of 46,000 aquafarmers.
Sakhon said Khsach Kandal district is one of Kandal province’s 11 districts, that has potential for agriculture and aquaculture, which supply produce to Phnom Penh.
He said farmers and aquaculture farmers should increase fish farming, animal husbandry, vegetable production and mixed crop cultivation to supply the domestic market and to sustain food security.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
