Mitsui Australia COO, Wendy Holdenson was recently in Cambodia and took the opportunity to visit researchers from the Royal Agricultural University to learn about the work they are doing to promote the traditional floating rice-based farming systems in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

With financial support from the Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund the Australian National University and its partner universities (Yangon University, Ecoland Research Center – Royal Agriculture University and Research Center for Rural Development – An Giang University) is undertaking valuable research into floating rice farming systems with the aim ofimproving profitability, nutrition and environmental sustainability in rural communities.

On her visit Wendy learnt of the challenges to encouraging local farmers to return to the traditional rice growing methods and the strategies identified to encourage the cultivation of floating rice.

“The research team’s enthusiasm for the project is infectious,” Wendy said.

“It is a credit to them that there is an increasing recognition of the benefits of growing floating rice in the Lower Mekong Region for a healthy society and adaptation to climate change.”

Project members, including those from the Australian National University will join government officials, NGO’s, farming, commercial and community representatives from across Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar for a two day workshop in Yangon on January 18  to share the initial findings of the research and exchange lessons on successes and barriers to floating rice cultivation.