Background
Cambodia’s irrigation system is a core part of agricultural infrastructure because canals, barrages, and water-control structures are used to divert, store, and distribute water for crop production. Routine maintenance of irrigation assets is a public infrastructure function that supports water delivery, reduces physical deterioration of canals and structures, and helps preserve system performance over time.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology is the government institution responsible for water resources management, irrigation development, and hydrometeorological services in Cambodia. In practice, irrigation governance includes inspection, maintenance, repair, and technical supervision of hydraulic structures so that provincial irrigation networks can continue operating under planned technical standards.
Key Developments
On 6-7 April 2026, Chun Putharith, Director General of the General Department of Technical Affairs and head of the project inspection unit, led a technical team to inspect and assess progress on routine maintenance works, phase 1, for major irrigation systems in Pursat and Battambang provinces. He conducted the mission as a representative of Minister Thor Chetha of the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.
According to MOWRAM, the field inspection covered the Damnak Chheu Kram irrigation system in Pursat province and the Kanghot irrigation system in Battambang province. The delegation included deputy directors general, department leaders, deputy department leaders, and technical officials from the Department of Agricultural Engineering.
For the Damnak Chheu Kram irrigation system in Pursat province, the ministry reported maintenance and repair works on one main concrete and earth canal line with a length of 18,450 meters. The works also covered three secondary concrete and earth canal lines, identified as SC1, SC2, and SC3, with a combined length of 35,033 meters, as well as maintenance of five barrage gate structures and repairs to 99 small and large hydraulic structures.
For the Kanghot irrigation system in Battambang province, the ministry reported maintenance and repair works on three large main canals, identified as GMC1, GMC2, and GMC3, with a total length of 46,300 meters. The works also covered seven main canal lines identified as MC1 with a total length of 85,207 meters, along with maintenance of electrical machinery used to operate water gates and maintenance of 106 small and large hydraulic structures.
MOWRAM stated that the Director General commended the reported progress and instructed the implementation teams to continue following technical standards. He also called for attention to quality, safety, and work appearance, while urging faster implementation in line with the planned schedule.
Implications
The inspection provides an official progress reference for the maintenance of existing irrigation infrastructure in two important agricultural provinces. For farmers and water users, continued maintenance of canals, barrages, water gates, and related structures can affect the operational reliability of irrigation service delivery.
For infrastructure planning and public administration, the visit indicates active technical oversight by MOWRAM over routine maintenance works rather than only new construction. It also shows the ministry’s focus on preserving existing hydraulic assets through phased maintenance, technical supervision, and project monitoring.
Official Source
Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), Facebook post published 7 April 2026: Official source.
