AKP Phnom Penh, May 14, 2025 --

The King, government, and people of Cambodia have deeply rooted for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, to be hosted by Kampong Chhnang province on May 15, to make the best start to the farming season of the country's staple crops.

This year, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, while presiding over the ceremony, continues to delegate the performing role of the symbolic ploughing to the leadership of the province that hosts it.  

Kampong Chhnang Provincial Governor H.E. Sun Sovannarith will be the King’s representative called “Sdach Meak” and his wife H.E. Phat Sophanny will be the Queen’s representative called Preah Mehua to lead the ploughing performance, followed by letting the used royal oxen eat from seven golden trays loaded with rice, corn, sesame seeds, beans, grass, water, and wine.

The amount from each tray that the oxen will eat is believed to tell the potential productivity of the crops in the farming season.

Thrilled about the event that will happen in his home province, Mr. Moeun, a farmer in Kampong Chhnang, said confidently that if the royal oxen eat a lot of rice and corn, farmers will be able to produce an abundance of the crops.

Another farmer of the province Ms. Sok Mean said that this belief has been passed on from generations, and it has been quite accurate. While the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is the occasion when she can see and hear directly from the King and other dignitaries, it is her reminder of the right time for farming and an inspiration to select appropriate crops for it.

The ceremony will also feature an exhibition of a wide range of agricultural products and local handicrafts as well as photo galleries of the key achievements related to agriculture.

With 63 percent of Cambodian households engaging in agricultural production, based on the latest Cambodian census, the King as well as the government of Cambodia considers the ceremony a special opportunity to convey special messages and encouragement for them to do their farming.

It is also an occasion to acknowledge the important role of water resources and alert all key players to contribute to effective use of it to foster Cambodia’s agriculture, contributing 16.7 percent to Cambodia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024.

Article in Khmer by Ban Chandararith
Article in English Thyda You