The Supply of Fertiliser for Rice Farming in Takeo

One reason for the low rice yields in Cambodia compared with Vietnam and Thailand has been the low use of fertilisers, even though there is a high yield response to fertiliser application. A study of the fertiliser value chain in Takeo Province was conducted. The hypothesis was that limited access to good-quality, affordable fertilisers is a major constraint to improving rice yields in the province. The study confirmed the hypothesis and concluded that farmers’ access to affordable, good-quality fertilisers could be improved by addressing the following concerns. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) could simplify and speed up the import licensing procedures and regulations for fertilisers, thus removing the scope for rent-seeking behaviour and the need for facilitators to expedite the issuing of licences. This would also reduce the incentive for illegal imports. Import licences should be approved by MAFF based on the suitability of a product’s use in Cambodia; then importers could be allowed to import any quantity of a registered fertiliser based on market demand and their own commercial risk assessment. This would also reduce the scope for illegal (and hence unregulated) imports. All imported fertiliser products should be labelled to identify the manufacturer. This would enable the sources of sub-standard fertilisers to be traced, particularly from Vietnam and China, where it is claimed that sub-standard blends and granular products are produced. MAFF should also certify third party traders who purchase and deliver fertilisers to villages for re-sale to farmers. Finally, fertiliser dealers, retailers, and other fertiliser traders should buy fertilisers only from certified importers or distributors and transport to villages for direct re-sale to farmers. Inspectors should monitor and spot-check fertiliser operators to help reduce fertiliser quality problems for smallholders.