AKP Phnom Penh, September 16, 2026 --

Cambodian Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology H.E. Thor Chetha led a delegation of Japanese House of Councillors on a field inspection Wednesday to assess progress on a major irrigation and drainage infrastructure project in Kandal province, southwest of the capital.

The delegation, headed by House of Councillors Member H.E. Higashino Hideki alongside officials from the Embassy of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), visited the Kandal Stung-Bati subproject site to examine progress financed through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). Minister Thor Chetha noted that the broader initiative—spanning Kampong Speu, Kandal, and Takeo provinces—remains a critical priority to boost agricultural productivity, mitigate flood risks, and elevate rural living standards.

Backed by approximately $238.2 million in Japanese concessional loans across three phases, the infrastructure programme funds the construction and restoration of headworks, primary, secondary, and tertiary canals, as well as the dredging and reinforcement of the Prek Thnot tributary (Stung Touch) and the development of local Farmer Water User Communities (FWUC).

Launched in October 2014 and scheduled for completion in June 2030, the overall project incorporates both the Roleang Chrey and Kandal Stung-Bati subprojects, which together are projected to irrigate 19,111 hectares of farmland during the wet season and 1,900 hectares during the dry season.

By K. Rithy Reak