Tobacco Plantings Tripled After Price Rise in Cambodia

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 12/24/2010

The amount of land used to grow tobacco has almost tripled in the Cambodian province of Kampong Cham this year, according to a story in The Phnom Penh Post. Oem Voeun, deputy chief of administration at the Kampong Cham agricultural department, said tobacco farming had sharply increased and was providing a livelihood for thousands of families in some districts. Tobacco was grown on 5,000 ha during the 2009-2010 season, up from 1,670 ha during 2008-2009. Meanwhile, Som Ra, director of the agricultural office in the Kroch Chhmar district of Kampong Cham, said farmers flocked to plant tobacco in 2010 because the tobacco price had increased to more than US$3.00 per kg in 2009. However, he estimated tobacco's popularity could decrease because the price had dropped to $1.70 per kg this year. Enditem