Cambodia is seeking to become one of the world’s leading rice exporters, with the country’s agriculture minister, Chan Sarun, saying he hopes to produce enough rice to export some 8 million tonnes annually by 2015.

This follows an announcement by Thailand’s prime minister that his country, the world’s leading rice exporter, will not cut down on exports.

Fears of rice shortages have led to dramatic increases global prices in the price of rice have forced major producers and exporters like India, Vietnam and China to adopt protectionist measures by imposing limits on exports, further exacerbating the problem.

Although Cambodia remains one of Asia’s poorest countries, the head of Cambodian centre for the study and development of Agriculture, Yang Saing Koma, has told Radio Australia’s Connect Asia program the prospect of becoming a leading rice exporter is a distinct possibility.

"There is the potential to increase the rice production of Cambodia," he said.

"Of course, we still have big land areas and the rice productivity in Cambodia is still low in those areas, and there is still the potential to expand the cultivated area."

Cambodia’s ambitions to increase exports follows Sunday’s announcement by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej that his country, won’t cut down on rice exports.

A spokesperson for the International Rice research Institute in the Philippines Duncan Macintosh welcomes the initiatives by both government, and says such moves could help quell the panic that’s gripped the international rice market.

"Clearly both…responses by Thailand and Cambodia to try help stabilise the market - they make good sense and seem to be very good decisions," he said.

"I think most governments in Asia are looking to calm things down, because there’s every reason for the markets to be stable."

Just ask God to give the answer.
But it’s not important to understand it.
What important is to have a lot of visionary leaders. Then Ask God to help you make them for Cambodia or whichever country.
But be sure to produce or plant the seed to grow real genuine leaders that lead people, not the one who will oppress them and kill outright or at small doses the people. the one called dictator.
You want to join me ? I trying to make some leaders also for Cambodia. Shoooot!!!
I’m not willing to lead but rather produce a lot of them, if God desires, to serve people. Because leaders serve, not kill, not steel, not destroy.
HA! HAH!

Cambodia has had too many visionary leaders in the past (Sihanouk, Lon Nol, Pot Pot) and their grandiose visions were responsible for much of the suffering that has taken place there. The current leader, Hun Sen, is a pragramtist rather than a visionary and in many respects this is a good thing. The problem is that he is too much like his predecesors in focusing on clan loyalties to retain power. This is the real underlying problem in Cambodia: paternalism and patron-clientism, which is deeply rooted the traditional culture. Changing this will be a long-term effort that will depend imporantly on broad and practical education which provides the knowlege and skills necessary for a modern society to function effectively.

PHNOM PENH, April 22 (Reuters) - Cambodia is on a drive to recruit bigger players for its struggling soccer side after years of being hammered by more physical teams, the country’s soccer chief said on Tuesday.

Soccer federation president Sao Sokha said the impoverished country’s diminutive players had little chance against bigger, stronger opponents so it was time for a complete overhaul.

"We need to have bigger and taller players to play against tough foreign players," he told Reuters.

"The new recruits must meet the requirement of (being) at least 1.7 metres tall, young, strong and able to run fast."

Cambodia’s team of labourers, security guards and policemen have conceded 21 goals in their last four matches. The team has never qualified for a tournament outside of Southeast Asia.

Introduced to soccer in the 1960s by French colonialists, Cambodia were fast improvers before a brutal civil war, which included genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime, curtailed their progress and led to a 23-year absence from the game.

Sao Sokha said 30 players had so far been recruited and would be paid up to $250 a month — eight times the salary of a civil servant.

"Lots of people like to watch the game, but it is difficult to find qualified people to play it," he said.

"I urge all parents to let their children play soccer so that it will help us to find good players — players who can attract spectators like rock bands do." (Editing by Martin Petty and Greg Stutchbury)