Improving Upland Rice Production for Sustainability of Rice Self-Sufficiency in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia

Abstract

Rice is the major source of carbohydrate, nutrient and income of poor farmers especially in rural areas in Cambodia, and Ratanakiri Province is one among them. Rice self-sufficiency was threatening while the population dramatically increasing and the rice production trend showed the declining. Given primary result showed that a few families were victims of rice self-insufficiency, notably, who possessed small farm, and large members’ family. But none of those families experienced hunger as they superior to buy food aid from the market while the other mechanisms were also held. The linear multiple regression models showed that rice sufficiency of upland rice producer families were strongly depend on rice yield obtained. Traditional practices carried by many farmers resulting poor rice productivity. Thus, to meet and sustain rice self-sufficiency several management practices are needed to improve including increasing seeding rate, wisely select variety and planting method, fertilization while capacity building are more apparent for the rapidly adopt technological and economic environment and increasing income.