Manila: “Kaun Trey,” a Cambodian rice seed, has been preserved at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines since 1972. This seed, whose name translates to ‘baby fish’ in Khmer, is among nearly 5,000 Cambodian rice seeds stored at the IRRI’s Rice Seed Bank.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the update was provided on June 11 by H.E. Khim Finan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. He explained that all Cambodian rice varieties are maintained at a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius, ensuring their preservation for research and breeding purposes.
During the years 1981 to 1990, Cambodia sought assistance from the institute, requesting 766 traditional rice varieties to recover its primary rice seeds, which were lost during the conflicts.