From May 13 to 19, at the invitation of the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Zhao Mingqin, Dean of the Tobacco College, led a delegation to Cambodia. The visit aimed to discuss and provide on-site guidance on the preparation of the Sino-Cambodian International Tobacco Research Institute, cooperative tobacco education programs, international student training, tobacco research projects, and the development of the tobacco industry.
Zhao Mingqin and his team held discussions with CHHUN TORY, President of the Royal University of Agriculture, HOUR BOPHA, representative of the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Li Weijian, Chairman of Hanlin Biotechnology (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., Vice Chairman PETER LIM, CEO Du Bing, and representatives of Chinese tobacco enterprises.
During the meetings with the Royal University of Agriculture and the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the two sides exchanged views on the development of Cambodia's tobacco industry, the establishment of the Sino-Cambodian International Tobacco Research Institute, tobacco research projects, and the training of tobacco professionals. Zhao Mingqin emphasized the importance of technological innovation in tobacco, urging the Cambodian side to expedite progress in laboratory construction and experimental field selection, quickly finalize cooperative projects, and initiate applied technology research. He also suggested facilitating the exchange and learning channels between faculty and students to promote the standardized, specialized, and distinctive development of Cambodia's tobacco industry. The delegation also inspected and provided guidance on the laboratory construction at the Royal University of Agriculture.
During the on-site inspections at the tobacco cultivation bases of Hanlin Biotechnology (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville provinces, the delegation fully acknowledged the company's preliminary work. They advised the company to prioritize core cultivation areas, clarify the industry development orientation, and vigorously implement an innovation-driven development strategy to lead high-quality industrial development through technological innovation. They also emphasized the importance of soil improvement for tobacco planting, supporting irrigation projects, construction of curing (drying) facilities, and optimizing the supply channels for fertilizers and pesticides.
The delegation held in-depth discussions and conducted technical training sessions with the Cambodian counterparts on cigar cultivation and drying techniques, flue-cured tobacco cultivation techniques, curing barn construction and modulation techniques, and tobacco re-drying and processing techniques.
