Kampong Chhnang, December 12, 2023 – Today, 249 landless and land-poor families from seven villages in Prasneb commune, Rolea B’ier district of Kampong Chhnang province, were awarded social concession land by the Royal Government of Cambodia.
The grant of the social concession land was made under the Land Allocation for Social and Economic Development Project III (LASED III) during a land allocation ceremony at the Prasneb commune office, presided over by H.E Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction (MLMUPC).
The beneficiaries were selected from a pool of 556 applicants who applied for social concession land last June. Among them, 207 families were granted a residential plot of 30m by 40m and one hectare of agricultural land each, while 24 families received a residential plot, and 18 families were allocated one hectare of agricultural land, based on the needs stated in their application forms, respectively.
The implementation of LASED III in Kampong Chhnang commenced following the government's endorsement of sub-decree No. 124 on June 7, 2023. This decision involved converting an area of 322 hectares from the 2002 forest cover to private State land for the LASED III project.
The upcoming phases of the project include vital infrastructure development, such as land preparation for settling the land recipients, installation of poles to demarcate the boundaries of residential and agricultural plots, construction of access tracks, a 5-room school building, a community center, a small-scale irrigation system, 12 open wells, and 50 solar lights with poles in administrative areas.
The project anticipates that the selected land recipients will be able to move and settle on their designated land by June next year, following the completion of infrastructure development on the site.
LASED III is the third phase of the government initiative that began in 2008 to allocate land to landless and land-poor families for residence and farming purpose. LASED III has been implemented by MLMUPC as Executing Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as Implementing Agency since October 2020. The project costs US$107 million, US$93 million of which is a credit granted by the World Bank and US$14 million is contributed by the Royal Government. The Project aims to improve land tenure security and access to infrastructure and agricultural and social services for landless and land-poor people and indigenous communities in Cambodia.
Currently, LASED III covers 12 provinces—Stung Treng, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang, Banteay Meanchey, Odar Meanchey, Kratie, Ratanak Kiri, Mondulkiri, Kampong Speu, Preah Vihear, Battambang and Tboung Khmum. The project is set to benefit approximately 5,000 poor families, providing them with residential and agricultural land, along with livelihood improvement support. The project includes the development of rural roads, small-scale irrigation systems, primary schools, health posts, training in agricultural improvement techniques, and support for expanded services for farmers.
