The typical Cambodian landscape is dominated by blue and green colors of the sky and rice plantations. In season, emerald rice paddies are dotted with workers, who drag sheets loaded with bundles of rice. The view turns to be as out of a postcard and thousands of tourists come annually to see this remaining bucolic lifestyle.
Cambodia has two rice crops in a year. The major monsoon (long-cycle) planting season falls in late May through July. For the heavy rains, rice shoots are transplanted during summer months through September. The main harvest occurs six months later—in December.
The dry-season crop is naturally less abundant but it also takes less time to grow, namely three months from its planting in November to the harvesting in January or February.
Rice plantations stretch all across Cambodia, but certain areas are more fertile than others. The richest rice lands cover the area of the Tonle Sap Basin, the provinces of Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thum, Kandal, Svay Rieng, and Prey Veng.
You may explore rural Cambodia at your own pace or join one of the traditional rice farming tours from Siem Reap. General Cambodia farm tours feature both rice planting and harvesting experience, as well as other farming activities.
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Cambodia for rice plantation experiences?
For rice plantation experiences in Cambodia, it is advisable to visit during the planting and harvesting seasons, which fall within late May to September and December for the monsoon crop and November to February for the dry season crop that takes about three months to grow. These periods are the most ideal for observing rice shoots transplantation and harvest, respectively. Show more
Where are the most fertile areas for rice farming in Cambodia?
The most fertile regions for rice farming in Cambodia are the provinces of Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thum, Kandal, Svay Rieng, and Prey Veng located in the Tonle Sap Basin. These areas have the right soil quality, climate, and topography that are suitable for rice cultivation, making them stand out from other regions in the country. Show more
How many rice crops does Cambodia have in a year?
Cambodia is renowned for its rice production and has a double cropping pattern, producing two rice crops every year. The first crop, planted late May through July and transplanted between summer months and September, starts its main harvest in December, lasting several weeks. The second is the dry-season crop, planted in November and harvested in January and February, lasting for about three months. Show more
What is the duration of the two rice crops in Cambodia?
The first rice crop in Cambodia start with the late May to July planting season, followed by the rice seedlings transplanted from summer months to September. Its main harvest takes place in December, lasting for several weeks. The second crop, known as the dry-season rice crop, is planted in November and harvested within three months between January and February the following year. Show more
What are some other farming activities offered in traditional rice farming tours from Siem Reap?
Traditional rice farming tours in Siem Reap offer more than just exposure to rice planting or harvest activities. Visitors can participate in the farming of vegetables, fishing, or visiting local markets to encounter traditional village life. Visitors also get to witness food preparation, crafts, and learn about Cambodia's farming practices during their tour of rural areas from Siem Reap. Show more
