2nd FEASIBILITY REPORT

14th Feb 2011

Cherng Krous Reservoir

Irrigation Rehabilitation Study

Ockenden Team & Partners

in association with
Environmental Management consultants
Local Authorities & Provincial Line Departments

IRRIGATION REHABILITATION STUDY OF CHERNG KROUS DAM, BANTEAY MEANCHEY

PROVINCE, CAMBODIA
Contents
1

Page No
BACKGROUND
1.1
Existing Irrigated Agriculture
1.2
Demands for Rehabilitation
1.2.1 Proposals by the Local Authorities
1.2.2 Farmer Aspirations
1.3
Potential for Rehabilitation
1.3.1 Water Resources
1.3.2 Soil and Land Resources
1.3.3 Present condition of Reservoir

3
3
4

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1
Cherng Krous Dam Rehabilitation Plan
2.1.1 without Project
2.1.2 with Project
2.2
Infrastructure Requirements
2.2.1 General
2.2.2 Cherng Krous Reservoir Embankment
2.2.3 Canal System
2.2.4 Cost
2.3
Non-Infrastructure Components
2.3.1 Institutional Arrangements
2.3.2 Government Assistance
2.4
Environmental Impacts

8
8

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
3.1
Costs
3.2
Benefits

11

COMMENTS/VIEWS FROM KEY DEPARTMENT

13

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
A.1
Demographic Characteristics
A.2
Land Tenure Patterns
A.3
Livelihood Patterns
A.4
Food-Security and Market Dependency

15

WATER RESOURCES
B.1
General
B.2
Cropping Calendar and Irrigation Area
B.3
Water Resources
B.4
Water Balance
C
ACRONOMY
C.1
General
C.2
Present Agriculture
C.2.1 Cropping pattern
C.2.2 Cultivation practices
CONCLUSION & Recommendations
Back cover page- Views of Current Reservoir from Google Earth (Jan 2011)

9
9

17

17

20
21

BACKGROUNG

1.1

Existing Irrigated Agriculture

The Cherng Krous reservoir lies at the base of the foothills leading from the Khmer Thai border. These
foot hills lead to the largest reservoir named Trapeang Thmar Dam. It is located in Banteay Chhmar
commune, Thmar Pouk district of Banteay Meanchey Province and is roughly a one and half hour drive
to the north from Sisophon. The command area is spread over two districts (Thmar Pouk of Banteay
Meanchey province and Banteay Ampil of Otdar Meanchey province) and 2 Communes.
Figure 1.1 shows the project location
Location of
Cherng
Krous
Reservoir

Map of Cambodia and Road Network

In ancient Angkorian times a major causeway road crossed the Cherng Krous, however, the system was
re-built in the Pol Pot years. After that, the area was a fighting zone and only recently Ockenden and the
local authorities have been carrying out small scale rehabilitation of the reservoir embankment. The
reservoir -which is fed directly by rainfall- is large. The surface area, according to the Local Authorities
and Department of Water Resources, is 4.25 sq km with an average depth, at full capacity, of 4.5m.
The main embankment is about 3 km long. The embankment has no spillway and overflows every year
causing major damages to one of its watergates and the eroding embankment.

Figure 1.2 shows the project area.

There are three main canals branching from the reservoir. These currently serve1,364ha in the wet
season and 105 ha in the dry season. The reservoir outlet structures appear to be in reasonable
condition, although all of the gates are broken. The canal system also needs to be extended and
improved upon. The Province estimates the post-rehabilitation areas as 3,712 ha and 688 ha in the wet
and dry seasons respectively.
Prior to construction of the reservoir, the area where water was stored was a small lake surrounded by
wet season farmland.
1.2

Demands for Rehabilitation

1.2.2 Proposals by the Local Authorities and Communities

There are four main tasks proposed are as follows:
Strengthening the embankment which suffers from erosion (3000m);
Repairing the reservoir control structures (three Watergates with 3 doors, 2 doors, 2 doors
and one spillway);
Repairing the damaged irrigation canals (three canals- 1,570m, 1,100m and 500m);
Setting up and building the capacity of the Cherng Krous Management Committee and
Water Users Committees to operate the system after it is completed.
Benefits are expected both in the wet season (increased yields due to supplementary irrigation) and the
dry season (a second irrigated crop could be cultivated in some 688 ha of farmland and 150ha of
secondary crops productions.)

1.2.2 Farmers Aspirations

When Ockenden visited the Banteay Chhma and Banteay Ampil communes, farmers wanted to grow
dry season crops. The reasons that motivated farmers to grow dry season rice and additional crops are
(a) price of agriculture produce gone up and (b) good road access. However, the ability to act on this
might be limited during the first few years because some farmers are not experienced in cultivating dry
season rice.
1.3

Potential for Rehabilitation

1.3.1

Water Resources

Currently, the reservoir does not have the capacity to catch all water from direct rainfall due to the
broken embankment and Watergates. The average irrigated paddy fields 1,364ha in the rainy season
and 105ha in the dry season.
An estimate of the water resources available to the project with full capacity is to catch and stored water
from the catchment catchments size of 300 sq km (30km x 10km). If completed to the proposal
specification it is estimated that there will be 3,712 ha of rainy season cropping and 688 ha during the
dry season.
However, if in a drought year there is little direct rainfall, we can expect some difference between both
seasons irrigable areas.
Table 1.1. Rainfall data over the past 11 year
MONTHLY RAINFALL SUMMARY
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

10

11

12

0.0

14.5

29.3

396.4

126.7

118.7

240.1

166.6

123.1

337.4

6.0

0.0

2001

2.5

0.0

100.4

65.3

246.3

126.1

82.9

225.2

156.1

169.7

25.6

0.0

2002

0.0

5.9

16.0

67.1

154.4

201.8

171.7

235.3

251.1

122.1

9.2

53.8

2003

0.0

22.1

29.2

115.9

140.2

164.2

148.6

161.2

230.0

148.7

0.0

0.0

2004

9.7

5.2

0.5

128.7

109.0

243.6

182.7

155.6

160.0

121.5

0.0

0.0

2005

12.8

0.0

7.5

99.9

169.7

120.8

212.9

94.1

208.3

260.6

5.8

25.8

2006

6.3

71.7

68.0

93.8

109.2

37.0

328.6

171.6

253.8

118.0

2.5

0.0

2007

4.0

29.3

15.7

139.5

206.4

87.4

164.0

104.5

267.7

98.3

116.5

0.0

2008

0.0

18.2

48.1

121.7

232.7

87.4

89.3

181.4

368.5

242.5

116.3

0.0

10

2009

0.0

0.0

68.6

223.4

121.2

178.3

97.7

43.1

216.6

151.7

3.5

0.0

11

2010

9.7

13.5

25.2

67.3

60.1

122.5

96.3

205.0

223.5

295.3

19.0

0.0

No.

Year

2000

Total
Average

Sources: Department of Water Resources and Meteorology

Total
mm
1,558.8
1,200.1
1,288.4
1,160.1
1,116.5
1,218.2
1,260.5
1,233.3
1,506.1
1,104.1
1,137.4
13,783.5
1,253.0

1.3.2

Soil and Land Resources

The soils in the command area of Cherng Krous are mostly deep poorly drained compact clay loams to
clays. These are moderately to highly suitable for intensive irrigated rice development; limitations are
soil compaction and rooting depth.
Sandier soils are also found; sands and loamy sands over sandy clay loam to sandy clays. These
sandier soils are only moderately suitable for intensive irrigated rice development due to the limitations
of coarse soil texture, reduced water holding capacity and high rates of soil infiltration. Both soil types
are marginally suitable to not suitable for other secondary crops due to drainage limitations.
1.3.3. Present condition of the reservoir
At present, the reservoir does not contribute in any significant way. Most of the water from the
catchment bypasses the structure through broken gates and the eroded embankment.
The reservoir embankment contains a total of 4 structures designed to pass water through it. But
different parts of these structures have been destroyed during the war. These 4 irrigation structures
should be able to provide controlled irrigation to selected areas downstream.
Photograph1. A view from the top of embankment looking north-west

The embankment appears to have originally had a top with of 4.5m with 2:1 slopes on both sides. The
surface was not protected by laterite, gravel or other wearing material and so it has eroded significantly
with the passage of time. The last top part of the embankment was destroyed by flood during the war.
Photograph2. A view of Box Culvert No 1

Photograph3. A view of Box Culvert No 2

Photograph4. A view of Box Culvert No 3

Photograph5. A view of main canal

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1

Cherng Krous Dam Rehabilitation Plan

2.1.1

Without the Project

Rice situation in Cambodia

Rice is paramount to life in Cambodia. 67.9 per cent 1 Cambodians are involved in producing rice (Table
2). Rice cultivated area amounts to 90 percent of the total cultivated land (2.2 millions hectare) but
contributes 22 percent to agricultural GDP 2. Poor households contribute 15-25 percent of total rice
production, cultivating small holdings 3; of one hectare or less. According to WFP (2010), rice represents
70 percent of the daily household calorific intake and absorbs about 30 percent of household
expenditures.
Table 2 Rice in Cambodia

From siteresources.worldbank.org/.../Resources/chapter+9.pdf

Rice is cultivated in two different seasons, namely:

-wet season rice -cultivated mostly under rainfed conditions (85 percent of the total cultivated area; and
-dry season rice -grown mostly with flood recessional water supply (15 percent of the total cultivated
area) 4.
Due to the war and Pol Pot agricultural policy of planting few rice varieties, traditional indigenous rice
varieties - that required few modern outputs, thrived on poor land and were more palatable - have been
lost. Farmers still implemented traditional rice planting methods from that era until recently. The size of
rice millers and their sparsity in rural areas was an additional constraint to increased rice production 5.
The 1980s to now were characterized by an influx of international aid to alleviate rural poverty and
improve agricultural practices. A variety of practices such as introduced improved high-yielding varieties,
fertilizer split applications, or improved farming practices of newly developed techniques called System
of Rice Intensification (SRI), integrated pest management (IPM) 6 were introduced. Although aid
1 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cb.html

Trade in sectors important to the poor: Rice in Cambodia and Vietnam and Cashmere in Mongolia
Siteresources.worldbank.org//Resources/Chapter+9.pdf
3 Trade in sectors important to the poor: Rice in Cambodia and Vietnam and Cashmere in Mongolia
Siteresources.worldbank.org//Resources/Chapter+9.pdf
4 Yang Saing, K. (CEDAC) 2008. Proposed Strategies to Utilize the Potential of Rice Production in Cambodia
5 WFP (2010)
6 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (2006). Cambodia Grain and Feed Grain Industry In Cambodia 2006. GAIN Report Number: CB6001
2

programs aimed at mainstreaming best agricultural practices, only a small proportion of farmers were
involved. Nevertheless overall yields increased from 3.2 millions tons per year (1983) to 4.3-5 million
tons per year (2006) enabling Cambodia to export rice to international markets (316,000 tons) 7.
From 2000 to 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture has pushed for SRI to be adopted with best rice farmers
yielding 7-9 tons of paddy per hectare against 2.5-3 tons per hectare; and with 47 NGOs in 2004
involved in SRI extension that reached 82000 farmers over 47,000 hectares; 2.2 per cent of the wet
season rice area 8. A 2004 GTZ report reported that if just 10% of Cambodian rice farmers would convert
just 42% of their rice area to SRI, the economic benefit to the nation would be $36 million per annum 9.
The situation particular with regard to dry and wet season rice
According to IPPC (2007) Summary for policy makers, climate change could impact on rice yield (the
main staple food) which could fall by up to 50% 10. Specifically, climate change is likely to affect the
followings:
Present rice production against forecasted rice production after water stress climatic patterns
are traditionally rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little
seasonal temperature variation. However, a study from the Cambodian Ministry of the Environment on
climate change impact brought evidence that natural rainfall patterns have changed as Cambodia
experiences increased wet season rainfall and decreased dry season rainfall 11. The IPPC forecasts that
if temperatures are allowed to rise to 4 degree Celsius, there will be increased water availability in the
moist tropics and high altitudes; there will be decreasing water availability and increasing drought at mid
altitude. Populations in the lowlands will suffer from increased water stress. ANALYSIS: Measures to
investigate in populated lowland areas are availability of water through small to medium water
construction and retrofitting of water bladders, water tanks of small and large capacity in populated
areas; incentives for private holders to invest in water saving equipments or manage bodies of water
communally; water sanitation measures aimed at protecting water tanks from contamination (mosquito,
faeces, etc.).
Land under dry rice and forcasted impact of climate change on lowland Dry season accounts for
8% of total rice area, which planted in around November in areas close to major rivers and their
floodplains. Short-period rice varieties are normally grown for this crop that take only about 3 months
from planting to harvest 12. Based on data from the past five years, Cambodias paddy production was
destroyed as much as 70 percent by floods, and 20 percent and 10 percent respectively by droughts
and diseases 13. Furthermore, the IPPC forecasts that if temperatures are allowed to rise to 4 degree
Celsius, there will be decreasing water availability in lowland and increasing drought at mid altitude;
which indicates that dry season rice production in lowland would produce less. ANALYSIS: If the water
infrastructure remains the same in Cambodia, this means that the current yield (8%) from dry season
rice would be vastly reduced under climate change strain; a fact evidenced by the study from the
Cambodian Ministry of the Environment.
Land under wet rice and forecasted impact of climate change on highland rain fed lowland and
rain fed uplands rice represents 86% and 2% of the total rice area, respectively. Rain fed rice belongs to
a monsoon-season crop, which is seeded in May-June and harvested in November-December 14. If
7 Trade in sectors important to the poor: Rice in Cambodia and Vietnam and Cashmere in Mongolia
Siteresources.worldbank.org//Resources/Chapter+9.pdf
8 Yang Saing, K. (CEDAC) 2008. Proposed Strategies to Utilize the Potential of Rice Production in Cambodia
9 Yang Saing, K. (CEDAC) 2008. Proposed Strategies to Utilize the Potential of Rice Production in Cambodia
10 Andrew Mears, British Ambassador to Cambodia (pers.com)
11 http://www.upiasia.com/Human_Rights/2009/06/10/will_climate_change_impact_cambodia/3454/
12 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (2006). Cambodia Grain and Feed Grain Industry In Cambodia 2006. GAIN Report Number: CB6001
13 http://www.upiasia.com/Human_Rights/2009/06/10/will_climate_change_impact_cambodia/3454/
14 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (2006). Cambodia Grain and Feed Grain Industry In Cambodia 2006. GAIN Report Number: CB6001

temperatures are allowed to rise to 4 degree Celsius, the IPPC forecasts that there will be increased
water availability in the moist tropics and high altitudes; which indicates that wet rice production in
highland would produce more; whereas wet rice production in lowland could fall by 50 percent.
ANALYSIS: This means that the current yield (86% for lowland rice) would be reduced under climatic
strain. Only wet rice grown on highland would increase. This means that the current wet rice policy
should start shifting production to highlands in order to produce for future generations.
In particular in the target areas
Rice will continue to be the dominant crop. The texture of the soil within the command area, which is
predominantly clay-loam to clay, poorly and imperfectly drained, limits the potential for growing non-rice
crops. Rice yields are not expected to increase and are highly susceptible to crop failure due to climate
changes such as drought or changes in the rainy season.
2.1.2

With the Project

Due to the drainage limitations of the soil in the command area, which precludes the growing of non-rice
crops, it is anticipated that rice will remain the dominant crop. It is envisaged, however, that rice will be
grown in both the wet and dry seasons. In the wet season rice will be grown with supplemental irrigation
and in the dry season rice will be grown under fully irrigated conditions. The projected area and yield
are shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Area and Yield, Present and Future with Project
Cropping Pattern
Present
Area (ha)
Yield (ha)
Rice, Wet Season (R)
2,348
1
Rice, Wet Season (S)
1,364
1.5
Rice, Dry Season (I)
105
2
Total
3,817
4,604
Note: R = Rainfed
S = Supplemental I = Irrigated

Future with project

Area (ha)
Yield (ha)
3,712
688
4,400

2.0
3.0
9,485

It is likely, that in both the wet and dry season, crops will be established by direct seeding due to a
shortage of farm labour and the large farm sizes (2 ha or more). The tractors currently being used will
continue to be used. The traditional rice varieties, medium to late maturing during the wet season, will
continue to be used as per farmers preference. However, the improved varieties (IR) which are earlymaturing (110-120 days), and potentially higher yielding, will be used in the dry season as these
varieties respond well to improved practices under assured water supply
2.2

Infrastructure Requirements

2.2.1

General

The rehabilitation project relates to an existing reservoir-supported irrigation system. The proposed
Project has been formulated based on the development strategy and design concept described in first
feasibility study done by Department of Water Resources.
2.2.2

Cherng Krous Reservoir Embankment

Cherng Krous is a medium sized reservoir (storage area: 4.25 sq.km) with the provision to supply water
to three major canal networks through three gated intakes. However, all of the gates are currently in a
state of disrepair. It also appears that there is no spillway to allow water to flow when the water level is
too high. The embankment in general is in good condition, except one small section (about 50 meters)
which has extensive gully erosion.

10

The proposed work comprises of the rehabilitation of the eroded section of the embankment, the reconstruction of the 3 Watergates, the construction of a spillway and the installation of spindles and lifting
gears. The level of the outlet should be low enough to mobilize adequate active storage but high
enough to ensure retention of sufficient dead storage to support perennial fishery.
2.2.3

Canal System

Most of the areas presently currently being supported by irrigation during the wet season are
commanded by Canal 1, 2, and 3. These 3 canals need re-excavation and bank improvement for its
entire length of 1,579m, 1,100m and 500m.
2.2.4. Cost
The estimated cost of the rehabilitation includes: (a) the Earthwork; (b) the Construction work; (c) the
setting up of Irrigation Association and Water User Committees; (d) Local Supervision and Technical
Assistance and (e) the overhead management. The total costs will be US$491,664.79. (See table 3.1
Summary of Project Costs).
The rehabilitation of the irrigation system below the reservoir (such as dikes, sub-canals, culverts...) has
not been costed because it is planned that this work is part of the Commune Investment Plan together
with Irrigation Association and Water User Committee.
2.3

Non-Infrastructure Components

2.3.1

Institutional Arrangements

The control of the water resources and their equitable allocation between the farmers is critical to the
success of this project. The following institution measures are recommended:

2.3.2

Water user groups, representing each of the villages who have access
to irrigation water from the project, to operate and maintain the system
at a village level and administered by water allocation arrangements.

An irrigation association, with representation from all of the water user

groups to set up and supervise water allocation arrangements between the different
water user groups. The irrigation association should include technical
representation from the district or province Hydrology office.
Government Assistance

The operation and maintenance should be the responsibility of the Irrigation Association and Water User
Groups described above. Nevertheless, it will be necessary for the government to provide technical
assistance regarding water management and the maintenance of the infrastructure.
The success of the project will require extensive training and credit facilities to encourage the farmers to
adopt improved cropping practices and to provide them with the resources to do so.

11

2.4

Environmental Impacts

If the rehabilitation leads to a more permanent inundation of the large storage area there will be more
significant positive impacts. The negative environmental impacts are not foreseen because this is the
existing reservoir. Overall, the negative environmental impacts are rated as medium, related mostly to
canal re-excavation and reshaping.
3

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

3.1

Costs

The cost of the proposed project is expected to be US$491,664.79. The project would involve
improvement of the embankment which suffers from erosion (3000m); repair of reservoir control
structures (three Watergates with 3 doors, 2 doors, 2 doors and one spillway); re-excavation of
damaged irrigation canals (three canals- 1,570m, 1,100m and 500m); Setting up the Cherng Krous
Management Committee, Water Users Committees and capacity building to operate the system after it
completions. A breakdown of the costs of the main project components is presented in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Summary of Project Costs

% of Total

Improve of the embankment (3000m)

Costs
(US%)
154,438.28

Re-excavation of 3 Canals

66,380.96

14%

Item

31%

Construction of 3 Irrigation Constructions (3 gates, 2 gates,

anther 2 gates) and One spillway
143,845.55

29%

Setting up of Irrigation Association and Water User Committee

Total A
Local Supervision and Technical Assistance

10,000
374,664.79
25,000

2%
76%
5%

Total B
O&M Establishment Costs

25,000.00
92,000

5%
19%

Total C
GRANT TOTAL

92,000.00
491,664.79

19%
100

A 2% allowance has also been made for Setting up of Irrigation Association and Water User Committee.
29% for Construction of 3 Irrigation Constructions (3 gates, 2 gates, anther 2 gates) and one spillway;
14% for Re-excavation of 3 Canals and 31 for Improve of the embankment (3000m) making a total of
76% allocated for the direct activities cost.
Local design and supervision is expected to cost around 5 % of base (including contingencies) and
technical assistance.
A 19% allowance has been made for covering administration and staffing costs of Ockenden Cambodia
for the period of project implementation (two years). Example: For following up (monitoring/ capacity
building/ freeing one staff to second Ockenden/technical advice); maintenance ((monitoring/ capacity
building/ freeing one staff to second Ockenden/technical advice.

12

On this basis total project costs are expected to be US$491,664.79 which is equivalent to US$132.45/ha
of additional dry season irrigation. This low cost per hectare (for a gravity irrigation system) is due to the
fact that only limited rehabilitation works required.
It has been assumed that most construction will be completed within 2 years and that irrigation water will
be supplied to farmers in the third year.
3.2

Benefits

It is reported that the present command area of the Cherng Krous Reservoir is around 1,364ha during
wet season and 105ha during dry season: a single crop of wet season rice being produced under
supplementary irrigation. The proposed works would safeguard the present level of supply and enable
688 ha of dry season paddy to be cultivated. It is assumed that the farmers will grow this second crop
on their land giving extra benefits.
Agro-economic data:- The average farm size of sample farmers was 1.89hectares per household. The
project could benefit around 1,961 households and would increase paddy production by 4,881 tones
(51.46%). At present, wet season rice, with an average yield of 1.2 tones/ha, is the only crop grown in
the project area. An average size farm of 1.89ha is able to produce a surplus of rice-284kg of
rice/head/year (194% of requirements). Rice availability is 585kg/person/year. Per year each family
would earn income from paddy production US$ 440 without the project. This estimate is based on a
projected import parity price for paddy of around 750 riels/kg. Present price levels are low at 750
riels/kg, but should rise as villagers choose good rice varieties and roads improve.
Availability of an assured dry season water supply is expected to encourage farmers to adopt dry
season paddy cultivation using moderate levels of inputs to achieve yields of 3 tones/ha.
Rice availability would increase to 1,204kg/person/year-almost four times more than the required level,
for households growing a dry season crop on half of their land. Household income from paddy
production would be US$897/year (increase by103%). The project would increase average labor
requirements from 70 days/farm/year to 128 days/farm/year. Much of this additional labor requirement
would be in the dry season when opportunities for local employment are limited.
Adoption of dry season paddy will be seriously affected if paddy prices in the area do not rise towards
projected levels. For example the net financial return from dry season paddy production would be US$
297.5/ha at projected prices but only US$ 110/ha at present prices.
A selection of key indicators, showing the effect of the project on production income and labor
requirements is presented as Table 3.2.
Table 3.2 key Indicators (in financial prices)

Net Return hectare

Crop Income per HH
Paddy Production
(Project)

US$/ha
US$/HH
tones/yr

Future
Without
Project
60
440
4604

Rice Availability

Kg/person/year

585

Indicator

13

Future
With
Project
228
897
9485

Change/
Inl
Benefit
168
457
4881

1204

619

%
Increase
280
103
106
106

COMMENTS/VIEWS FROM KEY DEPARTMENT

One part of the Cherng Krous Reservoir falls under Zone III of The Banteay Chhmar Temple
development. The Provincial Office of Banteay Meanchey has called for a round table discussion with its
departments in order to get views, advises and supports from all key stakeholders from the government.
Here are some of the views, comments, suggestions and advices from them:
Department of Art and Culture: There are two important sites to be considered in Cherng Krous
Reservoir - an Ancient Road and Ancient Cemetery sites. Since, the development plan of Banteay
Chhmar Tempe is taking place; our Department is also in the process of marking the boundary poles to
protect the old grave. If there is development/ improvement activities taking place there we can work
together to avoid negative impacts to these two sites.
Commune Chief of Banteay Chhmar: A part from the two sites as mentioned by the Department of
Art and Culture, top part of the reservoir areas is the Environmental Protected Areas and signed by the
King to protect the area since 1993. But this reservoir is very old and rebuilt since Pol Pots times so no
need to worry about negative impacts on the forest and wildlife there. Actually, the project will have
more positive impacts for the areas.
Department of Environment: In principle, he supports to the rehabilitation of Cherng Krous Reservoir
and other development work in the areas. He would suggest to Ockenden to write request with support
documents to his ministry in Phnom Penh. He will approve on the request so that the Ministry Level can
approve as well.
Department of Water Resources and Meteorology: Rehabilitate this reservoir will help farmers to
secure water for rice and crop production. Currently, this reservoir can store 1sq km and with
rehabilitation it can store up to 4.25 sq km.
Department of Agriculture: Conflict over water arose in one of the reservoir areas in Banteay
Meanchey last year between rice farming communities (dry rice versus wet rice). He suggests that the
Department of Water Resources and NGOs should find ways to avoid further conflict if we need to go
ahead with the Cherng Krous Rehabilitation. And capacity building and ongoing support to those
committees is key to success.
Try to conduct the study and consult with key stakeholders to ensure the accuracy of information.
Irrigation Association to manage Water and the stock of water in the reservoir and make sure they have
the skills to manage and the water level. This is an expensive project, if the completed reservoir is not
managed well it is a great lost. These people need to have ongoing links with the Department of Water
Resources so that the project is sustainable.
District Chief of Thmar Pouk
Agreed with all comments and suggestions above.
- Part of this reservoir is in the Protected Areas, but this part of the land became farming land
many generations ago. No forest in this 4.25sq km. I think if we ask for approval it will be no
problem. Example-in Banteay Chhmar Development-we can make people perception changes
for good reason.
- Re-the Ancient Cemetery: people removed those graves and stole almost everything from there
already. So if this reservoir rehabilitated this will help to protect this old cemetery.
- There are some paddy fields inside the reservoir but villagers knew and commune authorities
can address this issue easily.
- Villagers will be able to cultivate more during the dry season as well as rainy season rice so
more time will be spent on the paddy field when they have enough water for both seasons. This

14

will also reduce the time going to do illegal logging from the protected areas and reduce their
illegal migration to Thailand as well. More work to do at thevillage such as secondary crop etc.
Re-Irrigation Association: This can be created later or when project implementation begins
Re-Ockenden to request to Ministry-this will take time. It is better if we ask local authorities
make the request through our line agencies.
There are many benefits to the rehabilitated reservoir, namely because more agricultural
productions means more work for farmer and improved livelihoods. And another important thing
is that this plan fits very well with the Development of Banteay Chhmar to become the world
heritage areas because they want less people to live in the Core Zone of the temple. This
project will lead to improve livelihood of villagers outside the Core zone.

Deputy Governor of Banteay Meanchey:

He added the following suggestions:
(1)- The Commune Chief to have different meetings with local people and other Commune Councils.
Make sure that villagers are well consulted and more participation from villagers. The Commune Council
needs to make a proper request to Ministry with all support documents from different line departments
and authorities.
(2)- All relevant departments have to have enough understanding of the project areas and make the
necessary support documents available.
(3)- Contributions:
- The Department of Water Resources is to discuss with the Ministry in PP to see if they have
any contributions to make to this important project.
- The Commune is to take ownership of this plan seeing Ockenden and its donors as
supporters. The commune should allocate commune investment funds to this type of project for the
coming years.
Ockenden Responses and actions to questions above
Regarding
1. The Department of Environments request to have approval at the Ministry level, Ockenden has
agreed to take further actions on this carefully. It has been concluded that Ockenden to help the
Commune Council of Banteay Chhmar to write a request asking for approval from Ministry of
Environment. To make this request meaningful for approval, it has to have signatures of all levels of
government authorities, line departments of Banteay Meanchey and their suggestions. The
Commune Council responsible to process this letter.
2. The Department of Agricultures comment about conducting a thorough and inclusive stakeholder
analysis and participation phase, Ockenden has double check the findings and designs with
villagers, local authorities and line departments. It has been concluded that all figures from the
survey and designs are correct. Key villagers and local authorities are fully participated and aware
of their roles and responsibilities in the future plan. Ockenden will carefully work with Department of
Water Resources and Meteorology to set up effective committers to manage this reservoir.
3. The District Chief of Thmar Pourks request that Ockenden lets local authorities request approval
from Ministry directly, the outcomes are (a) line departments made a special visit to study the site &
waiting for agreeing to the request of the Commune Council of Banteay Chhmar; (b) Commune
Council of Banteay Chhmar conducted meeting with Commune Council Members & all members
agreed to process the request & agreed to put Commune Investment Fund to contribute to the
project.
4. The Deputy Governor of Banteay Meancheys comment about the commune allocating commune
investment funds for this project, the outcome is that the Commune Council of Banteay Chhar has
agreed.

15

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

A.1

Demographic Characteristics

The estimated population and household numbers within Cherng Krous Reservoir command area are
shown in Table A.1. A detailed listing of villages is provided in Table A.7. According to provincial
authorities, 2 communes and 9 villages are expected to benefit from the system, i.e. about 2,167
households and 8,688 people.
Table A.1 No of Households, Population and Farm land

No.
1
2
3
4

Total
Paddy
Total Land Irrigated
Field (in for other Paddy Field Total
#
of
ha)
crops
(in ha)
Household Populations female

Name of village
Kouk Samrong
Lech
613
Kouk Samrong
Kert
370
Banteay
Chhmar Lech
1800

50

245

988

575

359

227

707

326

15

1000

276

1197

558

1855

60

1795

266

1093

523

1172

55

1117

368

1413

701

Kbal Tonsong
Banteay
Chhmar Cherng
Banteay
Chhmar Tbong

1350

150

1200

450

1825

874

Srah Chrey

176

60

116

195

864

433

Tbeng Chas

410

405

82

328

179

Tbeng Thmei

200

20

58

273

130

7946

361

6062

2167

8688

4299

Total

The total population of the 9 villages is 2167 families. Amongst these families there are 1961 families
who own paddy field and other cropping land in these areas. It is estimated that 3,712ha can be fed by
this reservoir.
With the current condition of the Cherng Krous Dam, it can irrigate 1364ha of paddy field during the
rainy season and an average of 105ha during the dry season.
A .2

Land Tenure Patterns

In this area, farmers get access to farmland either through allocation, as part of the land reform, or
through claim. Some areas are not cultivated due to lack of water and other resources.
The average holding size of the paddy fed by this system by family is around 1.89ha.

16

A.3 Livelihood Patterns

Populations living under the project command area are dependent on wet season rice cultivation for
their livelihoods. The average paddy yield in the project area is estimated at 1.ton -1.5ton/ha. Farmers of
the sample reported lower yields averaging about 1 ton/ha because the majority of them are cultivating
broadcasted rice because they lack adequate family labor to transplant rice.
Besides wet season rice cultivation, households are engaged in cash income generating activities which
enable them to earn some cash money in addition to income which could be derived from the sales of
paddy. The patterns of occupation during the dry season seem the same in all 9 villages of the two
provinces. Wood cutting in the nearby forests as well illegally migration to Thailand is very popular
among the population.
Table A.3 No. of Household and their Wealth Ranking
No.

Name of village

Bette off

Medium

Poor

Extremely
Poor

Kouk Samrong Lech

52

130

60

Kouk Samrong Kert

10
Banteay
Chhmar
Lech
0

140

64

13

118

73

85

55

110

76

156

148

53

Kbal Tonsong
25
Banteay
Chhmar
Cherng
7
Banteay
Chhmar
Tbong
130

200

100

20

Srah Chrey

20

92

48

35

Tbeng Chas

12

60

10

Tbeng Thmei

34

15

196 families

859 families

741 families

371 families

3
4
5

Total
A.4

Food-Security and Market Dependency

The medium and well off households interviewed by the survey team are rice-surplus households and
earn cash income from paddy sales. This is also because they own large farm sizes in this area. One of
the sampled households, which despite a comfortable land capita ratio, had to purchase rice;
presumably due to a very bad year. It may be concluded that the majority of the population (those who
are better off 196 families are likely to be rice self-sufficient but, due to insecure yields, some
households might have to face a deficit from time to time.

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Table A.4 Household Wealth Assessment

Socio-economic Ranking Criteria
Level
Well off

Average
Poor

Poorest

Period of No.
of
Food
Houses in
Deficit
the village
Big house, tile/sheet roof, has more than 5 large 0
196
livestock, fields of up to 10 ha and gardens,
mechanized plow, motorcycle and have savings. Have
TV, radio, enough rice all year. All children go to school.
Fewer children. Small shop.
Wooden weatherproof house, galvanized roof, have 1 to 3 859
field up to 3 ha and small garden. 2 to 3 buffalo. Radio months
or TV. Lack rice for only 2-3 months. More children
Small house with thatch roof, no large livestock. Small 4 to 6 741
plot of land less than 0.5 ha. Often widows. No savings, months
many children. No sanitation. Not enough food for half
of year.
Very small house, no land. Usually widows. Often had 7 to 12 371
to sell field and garden. Often sick, disabled, no labor in months
HH. Many small children. Seek laboring jobs. No
sanitation. Not enough food most of year.

% of total
village
population
9%

40%
34%

17%

B WATER RESOURCES
B.1

General

Cherng Krous Reservoir scheme is non-flood recession scheme with storage. The main source of water
for the scheme is Cherng Krous Reservoir is fed by direct rainfall. The catchment area at the reservoir
site is 30km x 10km.
B.2

Cropping Calendar and Irrigation Area

A single wet season crop is grown with the growing period extending from May to December.
Broadcasting of rice is practiced in this area as opposed to transplanting. At present, 1364 ha are
cultivated in the area. Rehabilitation option include an increase in wet season area to 3,712 ha and/or
the introduction of dry season cropping for up to 500ha to 688ha.
B.3

Water Resources

The water resource depends on the rainfall in the catchments area of 30km x 10km.
The surface area of Cherng Krous Reservoir is estimated to be 4.25 sq km. The depth of the reservoir is
estimated to be 4.5m. This gives a large storage capacity of water. However, both the area and useable
depth of the reservoir are in some doubt because of a lack of reliable information. The estimates used
here are considered to be lower bounds. For instance, if the reservoir surface areas were as high as
4.25 sq km, this would lead to significantly higher irrigable areas than estimated.
At present, the surface area is estimated as 1 sq km and the dept is 2.5m (can store 2,500,000 cubic
meters (@January 2011). Ad will go down to 750,000 cubic meters by May every year (without proper
control).

18

The estimate storage capacity after rehabilitation can be 19,129,000 cubic meters.
B.4

Water Balance

A number of rice varieties and a range of compensation flow releases were taken into consideration for
estimating the potential irrigable areas in the scheme. We assume that water will be required for land
preparation.
C AGRONOMY
C.1

General

The project is located in the district of Thmar Pouk in the province of Banteay Meanchey and in the
district of Banteay Ampil of Otdar Meanchey province in the north west of Cambodia. It occupies an
area of 3,712 hectares of which 1364 hectares received supplemental irrigation and 2,348 hectares
totally dependent on rain.
The provincial districts within the command area are Thmar Pouk and Banteay Ampil consisting of 9
villages. It is reported that some 6 more villages in Banteay Ampil commune were irrigated during Pol
Pot times during the construction completed. But through discussion, the team does not see the
possibilities due to more roads built in the last 10 years.
C.2

Present Agriculture

C.2.1

Cropping Pattern

Although some 105 ha of rice is planted in the dry season, the dominant cropping pattern is a single
crop of wet season rice. The growing period extends from May to December for the wet season rice and
from November to March for the dry season rice.
C.2.2

Cultivation Practices

Generally, the land is prepared by a tractor, Koyun and a pair of oxen. The tractor is used in plugging:
subsequent operations are done by a pair of oxen. The crop is established by direct seeding
(broadcasting non-peregrinated seeds) at the rate of 100-110 kg/ha. All of the farmers used mediumlate local varieties in the wet season. However, it is clamed that farmers used IR varieties in the dry
season.
The village level survey found that 95% of the farmers used fertilizers at the rate of 50 kg/ha in the wet
season. Some farmers applied insecticide, weeds killers. Only few farmers weeded their crop with very
little labor spent in weeding in the season (1 day/ha).
Manual harvesting is practiced and threshing is done by machine.

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CONCLUSION
With a population of 14,753,320 people 15 eating each between 500-750g of rice per day, a potential
yield of 2.15-2.5 million tons per year instead of the current 4.3-5 million tons per year is likely to throw
the country into rice deficit unless urgent action is taken.
Recommendations are:
1.
Rice extension to provide training on newly improved rice techniques such as SRI or
permaculture techniques to at least 30 percent of farm holders and ensure that chemical and
pesticide are under control of the committee or association.
2.
Support rice trade policy- by investing on good infrastructure (Irrigation, roads, markets, etc.).
3.
Favour investment in irrigation systems in highland and lowland areas noting that lowland
areas will be more affected by droughts/floods.
4.
Water conservation in lowland areas to support populations in lowland areas where
drought/floods will be more severe. Measures to investigate are availability of water via small to
medium infrastructures and/or retrofitting of water bladders, water tanks of small and large capacity
in populated areas; incentives for private holders to invest in water saving equipments; water
sanitation measures aimed at protecting water tanks from contamination.
5.
Dry season rice To invest on small to medium water irrigation systems/ infrastructure. This
means that the current yield (8%) from dry season rice would be vastly improved under climate
change strain;
6.
Wet season rice pilot and raise awareness of rice cultivars that yield in highland and favour
land and air pollution. Prioritise wet rice production in highlands. Start shifting production to
highlands in order to produce rice for future generations.
7.
Deep water rice Some rice field in the reservoir will be flood so it is best to charge from normal
rice variety to Deep water rice (or floating rice).
8.
Increase investment in other crops that are resilient under drought conditions such as cassava
plantation.
9.
Water and Sanitation- to provide training on Water/ Sanitation and Waste Management to a
large number of population in the areas and ensure that at least large 30% of the population aware
of the local environment policy.

15

http://cia.org/worldfactbook/cambodia

20

The views from Google Earth of current reservoir (Jan 29th, 2011). The siz is
about 1 sq km from Nov-Dec and reduces 1/2 of the size in Apr-Jun of the year.

The water at full capacity will reach to this area. (Proof from one commune council
member and a village chief who lived in this area during Pol Pots Times, when the Dam was at its
full capacity).
Toul Vo Yiev

Toul Samrong
Samrong Lech
Prasat Thlath

The Angkorian cemetery (old grave).

The Angkorian road built around 1,000 years ago.

21