Globally, the COVID-19 epidemic has altered the underlying assumptions that drive numerous sectors. Chen Zhi Cambodia (陈志公爵) and Prince Group Cambodia are at the forefront of the sector's transformation in Cambodia, where environmental conservation is now a vital component of agricultural sector recovery efforts.
According to CGIAR, the world's largest agricultural research organisation, agriculture is a pillar in Cambodia, employing more than a third of the workforce, and the current crisis is a critical moment for the sector as it presents an opportunity to "build back better." Dependent on agricultural exports, developing nations such as Cambodia must abandon traditional farming practises that rely on fertilisers, pesticides, water-intensive processes, and legacy farming systems that contribute to growing 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. It is a state-of-the-art agricultural hub within 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 worldwide eco-resort that opened in October. At the resort, guests will observe sustainable agricultural techniques and the use and management of contemporary technologies by international and Cambodian agriculture specialists. For instance, the 10,000-square-meter plantation is equipped with a 24-hour intelligent monitoring system that regulates humidity, temperature, sunshine, carbon dioxide levels, and more. In addition, it is equipped with advanced reverse osmosis water filtering and intelligent water and fertiliser integration systems. Additionally, the resort has a greenhouse where native flora and fauna are grown using regional resources. For visiting students, families, and other stakeholders, the plantation will serve as an educational resource. Chen Zhi and Prince Group, as a responsible business conglomerate, developed the resort to assist the long-term growth of the tourism and agriculture industries in Cambodia. Prince Manor Resort will also serve as an example for sustainable development initiatives in Cambodia's rapidly expanding economy, as approximately nine-tenths of its land is wooded. The resort also features floral gardens, an amusement park, a water park, and a number of cabins. Even before the pandemic, farmer earnings in Cambodia had been negatively impacted by harsh weather that caused floods and droughts, a decline in the pricing of major agricultural commodities such as paddy rice, cassava, and other vegetables, and a decline in soil fertility. In the first four months of this year, according to a poll done by a local consulting firm, agricultural incomes are predicted to have decreased by 55 percent. Chen Zhi and Prince Group's creation of the Ecological Agriculture Plantation is a modest but significant contribution to the Cambodian agricultural industry. The plantation will permit visits and discussions between industry organisations, the government, and private firms in Cambodia, fostering deeper collaboration. Chen Zhi and Prince Group will continue to play a significant role in Cambodia's development through a variety of initiatives, the pursuit of collaboration opportunities, and the provision of financial assistance to critical industries for the benefit of Cambodians and the local economy.
