Background
On 13 February 2023, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, through the Department of Agricultural Hydrology, led a technical working group to inspect irrigation infrastructure works. The mission was carried out in cooperation with the Director of the Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology of Prey Veng and colleagues. The inspection focused on routine operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Vai Ko irrigation system (Phase 1) and anniversary rehabilitation works for the Prek Me Khsay irrigation system.
Scope of Application
The inspection covered two main irrigation systems:
- Vai Ko Irrigation System (Phase 1): Extends across four provinces—Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng—with a total irrigated area of 108,300 hectares.
- Prek Me Khsay Irrigation System: Located in Thye commune, Ba Phnum district, Prey Veng province, with the capacity to irrigate 2,780 hectares in the rainy season and 834 hectares in the dry season.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The technical working group inspected the following components of the Vai Ko (Phase 1) irrigation O&M works:
- Earthworks for one main feeder canal (NRC1-2) with a total length of 26,002 meters.
- Earthworks for one main canal (MC1) with a total length of 28,228 meters.
- Earthworks for one main canal (MC2) with a total length of 13,337 meters.
- Construction of 21 bridge and crossing structures on the main feeder and main canals.
- Construction of 9 water control structures on the main feeder and main canals, including 30 reinforced concrete gate panels.
- Construction of 13 distribution outlet structures on the main canal, including 13 gates.
- Construction of 46 corner culvert structures on the main feeder and main canals, including 46 gates.
- Construction of 24 field drainage culverts to discharge water from paddy fields.
For the Prek Me Khsay irrigation system rehabilitation, the inspected works included:
- One main canal with a length of 13,000 meters.
- A total of 45 hydraulic and related engineering structures along the system.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The inspected O&M and rehabilitation works indicate continued development and upkeep of large-scale irrigation infrastructure supporting agricultural production in Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng provinces. Improved canal earthworks and hydraulic structures enhance water distribution and drainage capacity across more than 100,000 hectares of farmland in the Vai Ko system and several thousand hectares in the Prek Me Khsay system. Stakeholders in agriculture and related services in these areas may benefit from more reliable wet and dry season irrigation, though no new regulatory or compliance requirements are indicated in this update.
Official Source
The information is based on an official announcement from the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology of Cambodia, published on its verified Facebook page on 13 February 2023.
