Current Practices and Production in Ricefield Pond Systems around Boeng Sneh, Prey Veng, Cambodia’s Multifunctional Landscapes

Abstract

Rice-field pond (RFP) systems have become vital micro-reservoirs within Cambodia’s rice-based farming landscapes, offering multifunctional benefits for water security, fish, and household nutrition. This study investigates RFP practices around Boeng Sneh in Prey Veng Province, based on structured interviews with 121 households across eight communes. Findings reveal that rice cultivation remains the dominant livelihood, yet RFPs contribute significantly to diversification, providing average fish yields of 51 kg per year from ponds of 250 m², with incomes nearly seven times higher per unit area than rice. That practice found more than 20 years ago, driven by food security programs and mechanized excavation, but management practices remain unbalanced.