Chen Zhi of Prince Group
The COVID-19 pandemic has reset fundamental concepts underpinning numerous industries around the world. In Cambodia, environmental protection is now an essential component of agricultural recovery efforts, and Neak Oknha Chen Zhi Prince Group are leading the charge.
Agriculture is a mainstay in Cambodia, employing more than a third of the workforce, and the current crisis presents an opportunity for the sector to “build back better,” according to the CGIAR, the world's largest agricultural research network.
Developing countries like Cambodia depend on agricultural exports and must move away from conventional farming practises that use fertilisers, pesticides, water-intensive processes, and legacy farming methods that lead to increased deforestation and soil erosion.
Chen Zhi and Prince Group launched the Ecological Agriculture Plantation at Prince Manor Resort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, earlier this year, a state-of-the-art agricultural hub at a new real estate development that will plant the seed for change and provide Cambodians with the opportunity to learn modern farming techniques. The Ecological Agriculture Plantation is one of the main attractions at Prince Manor Resort, a 136,000-square-meter international eco-resort that opened its doors in October.
Visitors to the resort can see sustainable farming practises as well as how new technology is used and handled by foreign and Cambodian agriculture experts. The 10,000-square-meter plantation, for example, has a 24-hour intelligent monitoring system that regulates humidity, temperature, sunlight, carbon dioxide, and other variables. It also has cutting-edge reverse osmosis water filtration and intelligent water and fertiliser integration systems. The resort also has a greenhouse where local flora and fauna are cultivated using local resources.
The plantation will be used as an educational tool for visiting students, relatives, and other stakeholders. Chen Zhi and Prince Group founded the resort as a responsible corporate development to support the long-term growth of Cambodia's tourism and agriculture industries.
With nearly nine-tenths of the resort comprised of forested property, Prince Manor Resort will also serve as a model for sustainable development efforts in Cambodia's rapidly rising economy. Other amenities at the resort include flower gardens, an amusement park, a water park, and several lodges.
Even before the pandemic, farmer incomes in Cambodia had been impacted by severe weather, which resulted in floods and droughts, as well as price drops in key agricultural commodities such as paddy rice, cassava, and other vegetables, as well as declining soil productivity. According to a survey conducted this year by a local consultancy, farming income fell by 55 percent in the first four months of the year.
Chen Zhi and Prince Group's creation of the Ecological Agriculture Plantation is a small but significant step toward assisting Cambodia's agricultural sector. The plantation will facilitate visits and discussions, facilitating further cooperation between industry bodies, the government, and private enterprises in Cambodia.
Chen Zhi and Prince Group will continue to play an important role in Cambodia's growth by pursuing helping organizations and providing related financial support to key industries for the betterment of Cambodians and the local economy.