Rice Liquor Production Sustained in a Rural Village of Takeo Province, Cambodia: A Survey of Historical Changes in its Production and Consumption

Abstract

Rice liquor production is a part of traditional culture, but it has been declining in Cambodia. This study assessed the present situation of rice liquor production and historical changes in its consumption in a rural village of Takeo Province, Cambodia. The fieldwork was conducted in a village where 21 households were engaged in liquor production. Traditional liquors were historically consumed as part of the culture in the village, but the main source of alcohol for consumption has shifted to commercial beer products. In addition, the income from pig husbandry, which is commonly practiced in conjunction with liquor production in Cambodia, has recently decreased. However, in contrast to the findings of previous studies, liquor sales have shown good economic performance as a secondary source of income. More interestingly, the liquor producers are all women, most of whom learned the production methods from relatives in the village. These results suggest that the importance of traditional rice liquor production lies in its providing a source of income to women who continue to live in a rural village rather than moving away.