Background
On February 12, 2026, HE Hean Vannhan, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and deputy head of the LASED III project steering committee, led the implementation team in holding a lottery selection ceremony for residential and agricultural lots under the Land Allocation for Social and Economic Development phase III (LASED III) program. The event took place at the Primary School in Prey Pdav village, Preah Phos commune, Khsak Kral district, Battambang province. The program is part of Cambodia’s national policy to distribute state land to poor, landless citizens.
Scope of Application
The lottery pertains to the allocation of residential and agricultural land lots at the commune and district level in Battambang Province under the third phase of the LASED project, a government initiative aimed at land allocation for social equity and economic development. The event applies to 508 beneficiaries present at this particular lottery, encompassing local government officials, project representatives, and World Bank delegates involved in the implementation.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The land allocation process involves a lottery system conducted in a transparent manner under the chairmanship of HE Soukhon Rathikoun, Secretary of State and chairman of the LASED III project steering committee. The event was officially endorsed by HE Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. The lottery distributed residential and agricultural plots to 316 households among the 508 targeted beneficiaries, as part of the government’s social land concession policy emphasizing fairness, equity, stability, and sustainability.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The lottery-backed land allocation under the LASED III project establishes a formal, government-backed procedure enhancing land tenure security for poor and landless rural inhabitants. It supports rural development by establishing fully serviced villages with infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity, schools, health posts, markets, parks, and religious sites. This framework strengthens land governance transparency and compliance with national land reform and redistribution policies.
Official Source
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Facebook post, February 12, 2026: https://www.facebook.com/maff.gov.kh/posts/pfbid02oScoxgEkUZ8HrtsJdVVLtN1HPptHvdZNMseDrxivC7NFaPqSNB6FhWQhWuhPmCFbl
