Enabling sustainable and inclusive irrigation development in Cambodia

Cambodia’s 16% of the total cultivated area (2.7 million hectare) is irrigated by 950 irrigation schemes most of which were developed by the government. Financing irrigation development in Cambodia has two problems: (a) shrinkage of funds for construction of ongoing or new canal network, leading to delay in completion of projects; (b) crunch for operation and maintenance. This paper, focuses on status of financing irrigation development laying stress on identifying options to fund the irrigation development more aggressively and sustainably. Further, possible approaches, governance reforms required in water sector, and supportive policy and legal aspects are discussed.