Fearing of rice shortage due to draught that erupted since mid-October, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed to his countrymen to join hands and work at their best to help supplying sufficient water to the farmers.

The premier made such an appeal at a ceremony marking the 51st anniversary of the founding of the Cambodian Armed Forces, some 17 kilometers west of the capital.

"I would now appeal to the government's competent authorities at all levels, the military, and the generous people to join handsat your best to help intervening in restoring the rice damages caused by draught," Hun Sen appealed.

He said he would prefer to get assistance such as pumping machines or fuel, both of which are necessary aids to rice crops.

Despite Hun Sen did not make clearly how serious the country's rice crops were damaged by draught. But the authorities dealing with the agriculture said that up to 30 percent of the country's more than two million hectares of farming land was seriously affected by the draught.

Cambodia is agrarian nation with 85 percent of its 12.5 million populations are farmers.

However, the country's main exporter earner is garment, while tourism is another potential resource income for Cambodia.

Also, on Monday, Hun Sen told the Ministry of Finance and Economy to reduce as much as possible the state expenditure to other unnecessary fields, and instead use that fund for the rice farming sector, particularly, at this crucial stage of draught.

The United Nations agency World Food Program has so far pledged 1,000 tons of rice for immediate relief to the farmers who had metserious draught at their farming crops, said a government official.

Source: Xinhua