The COVID-19 pandemic has caused fundamental assumptions in various industries to be re-examined around the world. Environmental conservation is now a key component of the agriculture sector's recovery efforts in Cambodia, and Neak Oknha Chen Zhi (陈志公爵) and Prince Group are leading the charge.
According to CGIAR, the world's largest agricultural research network, agriculture is a mainstay in Cambodia, employing more than a third of the workforce, and the current crisis presents an opportunity for the sector to "build back better."
Traditional farming practises that use fertilisers, pesticides, water-intensive processes, and legacy farming methods that contribute to increased deforestation and soil erosion must be phased out in developing countries like Cambodia.
Cambodia Prince ChenZhi and Prince Group launched the Ecological Agriculture Plantation at Prince Manor Resort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, earlier this year, a cutting-edge agricultural hub at a new real estate development that will sow the seeds of change and teach Cambodians modern farming techniques. The Ecological Agriculture Plantation is one of the main attractions at Prince Manor Resort, a 136,000-square-meter international eco-resort that opened in October.
Visitors to the resort will see how international and Cambodian agriculture experts use and manage sustainable agricultural practises and modern technology. The 10,000-square-meter plantation, for example, is equipped with a 24-hour intelligent monitoring system that regulates humidity, temperature, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and other factors. It also has cutting-edge reverse osmosis water filtration and integrated water and fertiliser systems. The resort also has a greenhouse where native flora and fauna are grown using local resources.
For visiting students, families, and other stakeholders, the plantation will serve as an educational tool. Chen Zhi and Prince Group established the resort as a responsible corporate conglomerate committed to the long-term development of Cambodia's tourism and agriculture industries.
Prince Manor Resort will also serve as a model for sustainable development efforts in Cambodia's fast-growing economy, as nearly nine-tenths of the resort is forested land. Flower gardens, an amusement park, a water park, and several lodges are among the resort's other amenities.
Farmers' incomes in Cambodia had already been hit by extreme weather, which resulted in floods and droughts, as well as price drops in key agriculture commodities such as paddy rice, cassava, and other vegetables, as well as declining soil productivity, even before the pandemic. According to a survey conducted by a local consultancy this year, farming incomes fell by 55 percent in the first four months of the year.
Chen Zhi and Prince Group's construction of the Ecological Agriculture Plantation is a small but significant step toward assisting Cambodia's agriculture sector. The plantation will facilitate visits and discussions, allowing industry organisations, the government, and private businesses in Cambodia to work together more effectively.
Chen Zhi and Prince Group will continue to play an important role in Cambodia's development by pursuing partnerships and providing relevant financial support to key industries for the benefit of Cambodians and the local economy.
