KT/Mai Vireak Kors Kralor district, Battambang province – Thousands of hectares of rice fields in 12 districts here have been sucked dry as drought continues to afflict farmers, with those living in Kors Kralor district hit the hardest.
“My rice paddies were destroyed because we did not have enough water for farming,” Mr Sin said, adding that he had borrowed $50,000 from a bank to get his farm running.
“We asked provincial authorities and the government to help dig a system for our villagers in this area because we can’t farm without a canal,” Mr Sin said.
“In Battambang province, Banan and Kors Kralor districts are facing a lack of water for farming,” he said.
Mr Voek noted that Kors Kralor district has been hit the hardest.
“The hardest hit paddies are located in Kors Kralor district.” “The drought affected 13,434 hectares of rice paddies in the district alone – 12,358 hectares were destroyed by drought,” he noted.
“We can estimate that farmers lost $500 per hectare destroyed.” Mr Voek said provincial officials surveyed the sites in order to find a solution for the farmers, but noted that the closest source of water is located in Pursat province.
“We have been looking for a water source to help them, but the source of water is very far from the areas affected,” he said.
He said authorities are attempting to use a system that can pump water from the water source in Pursat province.
“Some rice could take three months to harvest, while others take six months.” “If people continue to not have water, we will bring the water to them,” he added.