Irregular rainfall, persistent cloud cover and typhoons have significantly hindered cashew development, resulting in delayed growth and reduced yields. Cambodia’s cashew industry is grappling with mounting disruptions as climate change continues to alter weather patterns and affect crop performance across major producing regions. Field assessments in recent months show that irregular rainfall, persistent cloud cover and late-season typhoons have significantly hindered cashew development, resulting in delayed growth and reduced yields, according to a statement issued by the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) on Monday. Agronomist Karthikeyan Ganapathi of SK Plantation in Ratanakiri province said 2025 had seen unusually high rainfall from September to November, coupled with prolonged periods of weak sunlight. “These conditions directly impact cashew physiology,” he said, noting delayed shoot formation, postponed flowering, water stagnation on sandy–clay soils and excessive weed pressure during critical growth phases. These observations align with nationwide reports. Farmers in key producing provinces such as Kampong Thom and Ratanakiri have highlighted increased losses fuelled by extreme weather—including unpredictable rain, strong winds and heightened pest activity. Experts warn that such challenges are likely to intensify as Cambodia faces growing climate variability in the years ahead. Ganapathi stressed the urgent need for climate-smart interventions, citing improved drainage to prevent waterlogging, timely weed control, mulching and cover crops to help stabilise soil moisture, alongside regular field monitoring for early signs of stress. “Climate change is not a distant threat—it is already reshaping our fields,” he said. “But with proactive management and adaptation, the cashew sector can remain resilient.” The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia shares this view, emphasising that farmers have practical tools to adapt. CAC President Silot Uon said the association has carried out extensive field research and introduced affordable, homemade foliar solutions such as Highly Effective Microorganisms (HEM) and the Indigenous Microorganism Bacillus subtilis (IMOBs). These methods, he said, have helped boost cashew yields by more than 10 percent over the past four years, while lowering production costs. Since May 2025, CAC has organised 40 planned training sessions, reaching over 7,400 farmers across 10 provinces. Each session attracts an average of 90 participants and prioritises hands-on, farm-based learning over financial assistance. “Our aim is to empower farmers with real techniques that help them earn more from their land,” Silot told Khmer Times. Training workshops include demonstrations on producing low-cost fertilisers such as liquid compost, HEM, IMOBs and Bordeaux Mixture—practices CAC says contribute to stronger soil health and greater crop resilience. As Cambodia prepares for increasingly volatile weather conditions, agricultural experts and farmer associations stress that innovation, adaptation and climate-smart farming practices will be essential to safeguarding the country’s cashew sector. Silot added that the industry’s growth is reinforced by expanding cultivation areas and robust export performance. CAC’s report issued in August indicated that Cambodia mainly exported to Vietnam, with 960,000 tonnes worth around $1.4 billion. He noted that cashew cultivation now stretches across more than 700,000 hectares nationwide. “With recent declines in rice prices, many farmers find it easier to shift to cashew, which can be harvested within two to three years,” he explained. The continued rise in cashew exports underscores Cambodia’s growing influence in the regional nut market, bringing increased opportunities for farmers and bolstering the country’s agricultural economy.