Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter

Cambodia has shifted from being a rice importer to a net exporter. Further rice yield improvement is essential to maintain self-sufficiency and increase export capacity. Current yields are low and causes for yield gaps are not understood. Objective To perform a detailed yield-gap analysis by rice ty...

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Main Authors: Yuan, Shen, Flor, Rica Joy, Kumar, Virender, Srivastava, Amit, Wang, Yucheng, Fu, Yifan, Kazuki, Saito, Kong, Kea, Grassini, Patricio
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier BV 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179041
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author Yuan, Shen
Flor, Rica Joy
Kumar, Virender
Srivastava, Amit
Wang, Yucheng
Fu, Yifan
Kazuki, Saito
Kong, Kea
Grassini, Patricio
author_browse Flor, Rica Joy
Fu, Yifan
Grassini, Patricio
Kazuki, Saito
Kong, Kea
Kumar, Virender
Srivastava, Amit
Wang, Yucheng
Yuan, Shen
author_facet Yuan, Shen
Flor, Rica Joy
Kumar, Virender
Srivastava, Amit
Wang, Yucheng
Fu, Yifan
Kazuki, Saito
Kong, Kea
Grassini, Patricio
author_sort Yuan, Shen
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Cambodia has shifted from being a rice importer to a net exporter. Further rice yield improvement is essential to maintain self-sufficiency and increase export capacity. Current yields are low and causes for yield gaps are not understood. Objective To perform a detailed yield-gap analysis by rice type and water regime to determine available room for yield increase and entry points for improving crop management. Methodology We collected data on yield and management practices from farmer fields across six provinces in Cambodia during 2022–2023 period (n = 2036 field-year observations). Average yields were compared against simulated yield potential to estimate current yield gaps and estimate rice production potential. Random forest analysis and regression tree analysis were used to identify explanatory factors for yield gaps. Results and Discussion Average yield was 4.0 and 2.9 Mg ha−1 for non-aromatic and aromatic rice, respectively, representing 46 % and 52 % of the simulated yield potential based on local weather. Main factors explaining yield gaps were seed source and low nitrogen fertilizer rate. Achieving 70–80 % of yield potential could increase national rice production by 7 Mt, representing a 56 % increase from the current level. Significance Our study provides key information to orient national agricultural research and development programs and policy. Our case study for Cambodia shows that yield intensification could allow rice importing countries to achieve, not only self-sufficiency, but also develop capacity to export rice, leading to positive economic and social outcomes.
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publishDate 2026
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spelling CGSpace1790412025-12-19T04:21:53Z Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter Yuan, Shen Flor, Rica Joy Kumar, Virender Srivastava, Amit Wang, Yucheng Fu, Yifan Kazuki, Saito Kong, Kea Grassini, Patricio rice yield potential crop management nitrogen fertilizers exports international trade Cambodia Cambodia has shifted from being a rice importer to a net exporter. Further rice yield improvement is essential to maintain self-sufficiency and increase export capacity. Current yields are low and causes for yield gaps are not understood. Objective To perform a detailed yield-gap analysis by rice type and water regime to determine available room for yield increase and entry points for improving crop management. Methodology We collected data on yield and management practices from farmer fields across six provinces in Cambodia during 2022–2023 period (n = 2036 field-year observations). Average yields were compared against simulated yield potential to estimate current yield gaps and estimate rice production potential. Random forest analysis and regression tree analysis were used to identify explanatory factors for yield gaps. Results and Discussion Average yield was 4.0 and 2.9 Mg ha−1 for non-aromatic and aromatic rice, respectively, representing 46 % and 52 % of the simulated yield potential based on local weather. Main factors explaining yield gaps were seed source and low nitrogen fertilizer rate. Achieving 70–80 % of yield potential could increase national rice production by 7 Mt, representing a 56 % increase from the current level. Significance Our study provides key information to orient national agricultural research and development programs and policy. Our case study for Cambodia shows that yield intensification could allow rice importing countries to achieve, not only self-sufficiency, but also develop capacity to export rice, leading to positive economic and social outcomes. 2026-03 2025-12-19T04:21:52Z 2025-12-19T04:21:52Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179041 en Limited Access Elsevier BV Yuan, Shen, Rica Joy Flor, Virender Kumar, Amit Srivastava, Yucheng Wang, Yifan Fu, Kazuki Saito, Kea Kong, and Patricio Grassini. "Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter." Field Crops Research 337 (2026): 110238.
spellingShingle rice
yield potential
crop management
nitrogen fertilizers
exports
international trade
Cambodia
Yuan, Shen
Flor, Rica Joy
Kumar, Virender
Srivastava, Amit
Wang, Yucheng
Fu, Yifan
Kazuki, Saito
Kong, Kea
Grassini, Patricio
Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter
title Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter
title_full Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter
title_fullStr Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter
title_full_unstemmed Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter
title_short Improving crop management can help Cambodia become a major rice exporter
title_sort improving crop management can help cambodia become a major rice exporter
topic rice
yield potential
crop management
nitrogen fertilizers
exports
international trade
Cambodia
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179041
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