Developing lands adjacent to small-scale irrigation schemes (ប្រទេសម៉ាលី)

Ensure the optimum exploitation of flood recession areas around bodies of water in order to improve agricultural production.

The objective of this practice is to ensure the optimum exploitation of flood recession areas around bodies of water in order to improve agricultural production. This involves using water wisely by choosing suitable crops for the strips of adjacent land.
With this method, it is possible to manage the different water levels around reservoirs. Crops are chosen according to the water level: floating rice for areas where water is deeper; erect rice for moderate depths; and maize, vegetables and trees where surface-water levels are low.
Before the site is developed, farming advisors from the National Directorate of Agriculture (DNA) provide training to growers on benefits, constraints, possible land uses and the operating plan for the land. While the scheme is being built, rural engineering agents inform growers about how to maintain the scheme. Once the scheme is built, the rural engineering service provides training to growers and farming advisors on how to operate the scheme. A village committee is set up to manage the scheme. Committee members must be available and prepared to work in the interest of the community. Crop layouts and land allocations are formalised in an operating plan created consensually with growers. Areas around the reservoir are catalogued and the village council – with the support of technical experts (farming and rural engineering) – then allocate the lands in accordance with the three sections established: the deep section, the moderate-level section and the low-water section. Operation: In collaboration with the growers, the farming advisors set the farming calendar (ploughing, sowing, weeding, etc.) for each of the three sections around the reservoir. The calendar must be adhered to by everyone concerned. The advisors carry out regular monitoring of farming activities and propose corrective measures. The scheme management committee monitors the provision of agricultural inputs, compliance with the operating plan, adherence to the agricultural calendar and the condition of the scheme, and it undertakes repairs when required.
Three essential success factors for managing a reservoir have been identified: the organisation of growers around the scheme to ensure all aspects (infrastructure, lands, water) are well managed; the maintenance of the scheme and reservoir banks (if the banks degrade, the adjacent land may erode or be lost); adherence to the agricultural calendar, which is key for getting the best results from installations.
Village councils participate in the allocation of land to prevent conflicts and ensure compliance with the conditions of the land allocation and the rules in place for the scheme. The management committee ensures the upkeep of the scheme and the supply of agricultural inputs through bulk purchasing. Growers must comply with the agricultural calendar and correctly apply the recommended cropping techniques. Farming advisors train growers, monitor the farming of the site and recommend high-performing and suitable varieties. Rural engineering experts provide training on scheme maintenance, management and monitoring.