The Census of Agriculture Cambodia 2023​ was launched this morning, May 19. The data generated by the census is expected to become a key driver in enabling the government and all relevant partners to develop effective plans for advancing Cambodia's agriculture sector. It may also foster new dynamics to attract both domestic and international investors to the Kingdom.

The Phnom Penh event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister of Planning Bin Trachay, Minister of Rural Development Chhay Rithisen and Rebekah Bell, representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Cambodia.

As he addressed the launch ceremony, Sophea noted that although the second census took place nearly two years ago, the data remains highly important for the government and relevant sectors. It provides a foundation for the formulation of short-, medium- and long-term socio-economic development policies, strategies and plans. This data will also offer stakeholders detailed and clear information on Cambodia’s agricultural production structures, irrigation systems, rural infrastructure and sectoral economic activities.

He added that beyond contributing to food security and meeting domestic needs, the census data will help boost Cambodia’s capacity to export agricultural products to international markets. It is particularly important in helping Cambodia move toward its vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.

“Agricultural census data is crucial for informing government policy, offering in-depth reflections on the health of the agriculture sector, identifying opportunities for growth and guiding the development of effective and efficient policies. It also clarifies specific needs in agriculture, resource allocation and interventions, while enabling monitoring toward socio-economic development goals that contribute to national economic and social progress,” he said.

Sophea proposed wider dissemination of the census to the Kingdom’s overseas embassies, so that diplomatic representatives can help promote Cambodia to potential foreign investors.

“This data serves as a valuable set of information that can attract more investors, especially foreign ones, to invest in Cambodia,” he explained.

The 2023 census also revealed a sharp decline in the use of animal labour in agriculture, which has largely been replaced by machinery.

Planning minister Bin Trachay noted that Cambodia's first Agricultural Census was conducted in 2013 (with an agricultural survey in 2019), and the second was carried out in 2023. 

He added that census and agricultural survey data allow experts to update the status of all types of agriculture, assess gender equity in the sector and provide detailed data at sub-national levels. This includes land tenure structures, land use, crop cultivation, livestock and poultry raising, irrigation and forestry-related activities across Cambodia. These serve as inputs for policymakers, planners, researchers and stakeholders.

The census was funded by the government, with support from the FAO.

“The census has contributed essential data indicators needed to update Cambodia’s agricultural profile. It reflects the structural foundations of agricultural units, providing insights into production activities and important indicators across all farm sizes, types and organisational structures,” explained Trachay.

According to the minister, data collection occurred from April 1 to May 15, 2023, covering all agricultural units (both household-level and large-scale enterprises) throughout Cambodia.

The results revealed changes in the structure of agricultural households. The share of households engaged in agriculture dropped to 54.5% in 2023, compared to nearly 82% in 2013.

In 2023, among the 1.85 million agricultural households, there were approximately 3.6 million agricultural plots (including residential land) covering a total area of about 3.2 million hectares.

The national average yield of paddy rice was reported to be 3.4 tonnes per hectare.