CAC news
KAMPONG THOM, Cambodia, Oct. 20, 2026 — Researchers from the Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences are working with Cambodian farmers to rehabilitate ageing cashew orchards, with early results showing improved tree vigour and yield recovery.
The research team conducted field activities in Kampong Thom province, guiding farmers in applying rehabilitation techniques to ageing cashew trees. The results have drawn recognition from Dr. Chay Chim, Director of the Department of Agro-Industry at Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The technology could offer a potential solution for rehabilitating approximately 300,000 hectares of ageing cashew orchards across Cambodia, helping restore productivity while preventing trees from being cut down or plantations abandoned.
However, Silot Uon, President of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), said further research was needed before the technique could be widely recommended to farmers.
“I am not yet familiar with this new research, although I have conducted some experiments on jujube trees and obtained encouraging results,” he said.
He noted that cashew trees more than 20 years old may have ageing root systems with reduced functionality, raising questions about whether the rehabilitation technique could improve root absorption and nutrient uptake.
Nevertheless, Silot welcomed the researchers’ work and said he would await the complete findings before recommending the method to Cambodian cashew farmers.
“If the results prove effective, I will not hesitate to inform our farmers,” he said.
The research could provide a promising option for extending the productive life of ageing cashew orchards and strengthening the long-term sustainability of Cambodia’s cashew industry.
Reference: Wang Wenbin, Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
