Farmers’ Perceptions of Government’s Rice Export Policy: A Case in Southern Cambodia

Abstract

This study aims to identify farmers’ perceptions of government rice export policy focusing on farmers’ awareness, perceptions of their production situation after introduction of policy and perceptions on impacts of the policy. Tramkak and Chumkiri district, located in the provinces of Takeo and Kampot respectively, were selected to be study areas. In total, 301 out of 320 farmers’ data collected through face–to–face interview in February to March 2017 were used in our analysis. Results of farmers’ awareness show that 52 percent of sample farmers’ are aware of the policy, which media and officers are the main sources of their information. Higher education and more training obtain are positively associated with the awareness of the policy. 34 percent and 35 percent of farmers responded their rice price and market respectively were better after the introduction of rice export policy. However, only 23 percent of farmers perceived that rice yield had increased implying that the policy exerts itself to mainly boost market for export while neglecting farmers’ difficulties in rice production. Results of impacts of the policy’s measures indicate that government have succeeded in encouraging agricultural investment, developing infrastructure (road and electricity), and creating farmers groups; however, they have failed to reduce production cost, secure market stability, well operate supportive institutions, as well as build the irrigation system which is the immediate need of farmers. Results suggest that increasing rice traders/millers and better access to credit are important measures to increase rice yield. Forming cooperative, better access to inputs/tools and increasing rice traders/ miller are the necessary measures to secure the price of paddy rice. To ease market of paddy rice, cooperative and better road condition will be the crucial tools.