Introduction
By October 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has deployed 1,600 Commune Agriculture Officers (CAOs) to work with farmers in all agricultural communes across the country under the framework of implementing government policy priority number 6. The success of CAOs is primarily measured by the number of farmers receiving extension services and the improvement in farmers’ incomes.
This guide aims to advise CAOs on how to effectively support farmers before and during the wet season rice harvest period (October to December 2025), which includes the flowering, ripening, and harvesting stages. It outlines how CAOs can organize, coordinate, and provide services that help increase farmers’ income through cost reduction, increased yields, improved product quality, and enhanced market access.
Activities and Services CAOs Can Provide Before and During Harvest
- Register farmers to collaborate with CAOs under the Sre Laar (SRL) principles and encourage the use of foliar fertilizers combined with bio-stimulants to improve crop health and yields during the flowering and ripening stages.
- Register farmers for market linkage services by collecting data on cultivated areas, estimated harvest volumes, and harvesting schedules to enhance sales planning.
- Project harvest quantities and timing to better organize logistics and engage buyers efficiently.
- Organize farmer groups to access collective harvesting services, increasing their bargaining power and reducing harvesting costs.
- Monitor harvesting to prevent the collection of immature (green) or overripe paddy, ensuring optimal grain quality.
- Oversee harvesting quality to minimize losses and maintain high standards for paddy.
- Facilitate the establishment and management of collection sites with improved transportation access to attract more buyers and secure better prices.
Reporting on Activities and Income Improvements Through CAO Support
After completing support activities, CAOs should prepare a report indicating the number of farmers supported, total harvested area, total paddy sold with CAO assistance, income improvements, farmer feedback, insights, and lessons learned for future seasons.
Income improvements can be measured or estimated as follows:
- Harvesting cost reductions of approximately xx riel per hectare or more, due to better group organization and service agreements.
- Reduced harvest losses by around xx kg per hectare through improved harvesting quality and timing.
- Increased sale prices by about xx riel per kilogram, resulting from higher paddy quality, better transportation, and stronger negotiation power.
Additional Support and Coordination
- In communes or districts with high production of premium rice Phkar Rumdoul (PRD), MAFF coordinates with CAOs to deploy harvest combines to assist farmers and marketing agents, facilitating direct linkages to rice mills.
- After harvest, CAOs promote stubble cultivation to enhance soil fertility, reduce fertilizer and pesticide expenses, and protect soil health.
- CAOs help organize farmers into groups to access stubble cultivation services, lowering land preparation costs by about xx riel per hectare.
- MAFF supports coordination to introduce service providers offering stubble cultivation at below-market prices with favorable payment terms for farmers cooperating with CAOs (e.g., 5,000 riel/ha subscription, payment after service, and installment plans).
- Farmers registered with CAOs can access comprehensive service packages covering stubble cultivation through to harvest and marketing.
Conclusion
Effective collaboration between CAOs and farmers before and during the wet season rice harvest is essential for improving farmers’ incomes and sustaining agricultural productivity. By organizing farmers, facilitating collective services, and providing technical and market support, CAOs can help reduce production costs, minimize losses, and enhance rice quality. Improved coordination with buyers and service providers not only ensures better prices but also strengthens farmers’ market access and resilience.
Looking ahead, continuous monitoring, farmer feedback, and adaptive extension strategies will be crucial for addressing challenges and maximizing benefits each season. Strengthening these efforts will contribute significantly to the government’s goal of enhancing rural livelihoods, food security, and the overall development of the agricultural sector in the coming years.
By Yang Saing Koma (MAFF)