Hun Manet Calls Agriculture ‘Nation’s Stomach’, Fisheries ‘Protein Engine’
Hun Manet Calls Agriculture ‘Nation’s Stomach’, Fisheries ‘Protein Engine’
SVAY RIENG, 1 July 2026 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to agriculture, describing the sector as the “nation’s stomach” and fisheries as the country’s “protein engine” because of their vital role in ensuring food security and nutrition.
Speaking during National Fisheries Day celebrations in Svay Rieng province on 1 July, Hun Manet said fish remain a sustainable source of protein that can be preserved and are widely consumed by people across all segments of society.
The prime minister made the remarks while presiding over a ceremony to release 1.5 million fish fingerlings into the Vaico River, highlighting the government’s commitment to conserving fisheries resources and promoting sustainable development.
Hun Manet said the government’s seventh-mandate administration has identified resilient, sustainable and inclusive development as the fourth pillar of its Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I. Sustainable management of natural resources, cultural heritage and tourism forms one of the strategy’s key priorities, alongside the promotion of agriculture and rural development.
He noted that Cambodia’s National Policy on Agricultural Development 2022-2030 aims to modernise the agricultural sector, improve competitiveness, strengthen food security and ensure the sustainable management of land, forests and fisheries resources.
The prime minister also highlighted policies designed to promote modern farming knowledge, technology transfer and innovation to improve agricultural productivity across different subsectors.
Hun Manet praised officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for their efforts to advance the sector despite ongoing challenges. He acknowledged that global economic conditions and changing international markets continue to affect agricultural commodity prices, making the sector more vulnerable than many industrial industries where prices are generally more stable.
