A Review of the Current Situation for Water Resources Management and the Role of Agricultural Education in Cambodia

Abstract

This paper highlights a brief profile of the water resources, management and policies of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC). The report is based on secondary information from the RGC, Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), Cambodian Development Committee (CDC), Mekong River Commission (MRC), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and other related sources. The total land area of Cambodia is 181,035km² while the population is approximately 13.8 million. Cambodia currently has a very high potential for water and water resources with limited capability to adopt water for both agricultural production and daily usage. Water resources are being promoted by various developmental policies from the RGC under the support of the government itself and international agencies and organizations. There are 207 Farmer Water User Communities (FWUC) that have been established and are functioning. In the rainy and dry seasons, the FWUC can irrigate 76,720 ha and 59,770 ha, respectively. Only 15% of the populations in 19 of 24 provincial towns have access to piped water. Agriculture in Cambodia is mostly rain fed. Only a small percentage of total cultivated land is irrigated year-round. Irrigation is only available for 4.5% of the total usable land. Of that amount, 1.4% is by surface water irrigation and 3.1% by groundwater irrigation. On the other hand, total irrigated land is approximately 20% of the total cultivated land. A legal framework, water policies and duties to support sustainable and effective uses of Cambodian water have been established. The FWUC has been designed to accomplish many objectives aiming to attain sustainable water use. There are very few courses provided through higher educational institutions such as the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), most courses available are not fully related to agricultural production or livelihood. RUA offers courses directly related to water for agriculture and rural development, but few courses with expertise and support. Academic research focuses on irrigation systems, water contamination and pollution, and water supply with limited concepts for application. Cambodia needs to develop new crops, rice varieties, and other breeding species, to determine the water potential throughout the country, to disseminate maintenance techniques, skills and sustainable use of irrigation facilities, and to introduce specific courses and programs at educational institutions that play a role in the related fields.