The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 4936
“Phnom Penh: As organic products in Cambodia are increasing in quantity, and farmers or producers are gaining trust in the products, a standards need to be established so that consumers continue to trust that the products come from sources where chemical fertilizers or insecticides are not used.
“To gain such trust, a new association was established, joined by those whose missions are involved in such kind of work. The association includes government institutions and cooperating international organizations such as the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the European Union.
“Mr. Hay Ly On, President of the Cambodian Organic Agriculture Association, said in his first workshop conducted at Sunway Hotel last weekend, that organic products appear to have great potential for export during the last few years, and they can be sold especially at tourist destinations like Siem Reap, and also in Phnom Penh as well as in other provinces. Therefore, standards need to be established to ensure high quality for each product. It requires proper certificating and labeling, so consumers will not by mistake get confused when they see other products on sale at the markets.
“Mr. Hay Ly On emphasized that during the first phase, ‘we aim to achieve organic standards for rice, and we ensure to establish a harmonization between the different internal checking systems. These provide aspirations and encouragement for producers and farmers to promote their products and crops to satisfy market demands as well as to promote people’s health, environment, and social economy.
“Mr. Un Bun Tha, a Deputy Director of the Domestic Product Department of the Ministry of Commerce, said that organic products is one of the priorities of the government’s development policies. Interministerial working groups have been trying to promote organic products such as vegetables, rice, and fruit for exports from Siem Reap. We need coordination to arrange a standard for reliability among consumers.
“He continued to say that organic products have not yet been standardized with proper certificates, but they rely on judgment of different groups, as nothing has been formalized.
“Ms. Birgitt Boor from the GTZ shared lessons relating to organic products in other developed countries, where such movements started since 1970. They moved so quickly during year 2000 that many countries created legal system, and their communities were able to expand their markets.
“Mr. Som Noroth, the Executive Director of the Cambodian Organic Agriculture Association, said that organic products were produced in Kompong Thom and Kampot, produced by the Rural Development Program of the GTZ; in Pursat by Oxfam Qebec, and in Battambang by DANIDA. Other involved local organizations are CEDAC, Srer Khmer, PUAC, ADRA, and HURREDO.”Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4215, 18-19 February 2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 19 February 2007
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5970, 19 February 2007
- Incense Sticks Cause Blaze at a Market in Phnom Penh [62 stalls, in Tuol Kork] and Engulf [13] Houses in Siem Reap [on Chinese New Year]
- December 2006 Accident Report: 98 Killed and 462 Injured
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4215, 18-19 February 2007
- Announcement by Ministry of Religion and Cults Allowing Monks to Vote in Elections [same as ordinary people, announced by H.E. Min Khin, Secretary of State]
- Prince Sirivudh’s Answer at the Phnom Penh Court ‘I don’t know’ [relating to details of the selling of the Funcinpec Headquarters Will Hurt Prince Ranariddh
- Why Is a Statue of Jayavarman VII at Sukhothai? [Sukhothai formerly belonged to Cambodia. Such statues were set up by Cambodians to express their reverence]
- [Grade 8] School Girl Committed Suicide while Being Treated for Chicken Pox, but Her Classmates Say She Was Broken Hearted for Not Having Received a Gift on Valentine’s Day [medical examination finds insecticide in her mouth and stomach]
- Organic Products to Meet Standards in Cambodia
Sar Noeung Khmao, Vol.8, #193, 19-20 February 2007
- Chinese Company [China Zhenrong] Invests $400 Million in Oil Exploration in Cambodia [Sihanoukville, Block D. This company also invests in oil refinery]
Snadai Khmeng Wat, Vol.6, #121, 19 February 2007
- The King Requests the Public to Protect the Natural Environment; Samdech Hun Sen Announces also Regulations to Prevent Environmental Destruction and to Protect the Environment [during ceremony at the Don Bosco Technical School Phnom Penh the King appealed to the authorities at all levels and to the national and international community to pay high attention to the protection of the environment. Many people are filling soil onto wetland areas and there construct their houses]
- Ratanakiri Court Has Not Yet Decided on the Land Dispute of H.E. Keat Chhon’s Sister for Land Grabbing from Indigenous Minority People [at Kong Yu and Kong Thom Village, Ou Ya Dav]
I like Sukhothai