Boeng Sala Khang Cheung Commune | Kampot Province
Main Geography and Administrative Structure
Boeng Sala Khang Cheung Commune lies in the southern part of Kampong Trach District, Kampot Province, covering an area of 64.3 km². The commune consists of three villages – Boeng Sala Khang Cheung, Prey Chruk and Damnak Trek – which are further divided into fifteen hamlets under the management of elected village heads reporting to a Commune Development Committee.
Demographic Overview
The 2019 national census recorded 8 732 residents in Boeng Sala Khang Cheung. The median age was 24.1 years, indicating a predominately young population typical of rural Cambodia, and the sex ratio approximated 1.00 male to female. Average household size stood at 5.4 persons, with 73 % of households headed by married couples; the remainder were single‑parent or extended families.
Agricultural Land Use
Cultivated land totals roughly 16 km², about 25 % of the commune’s surface. Wet rice paddies dominate, covering approximately 13 km²; provincial yield statistics for the 2021‑2022 season recorded an average output of 4,800 kg/ha in Kampot Province, projecting a local rice harvest of around 620 tonnes. Secondary crops include cassava (≈3.5 km²) yielding roughly 110 tonnes, and maize (≈2.0 km²) producing an estimated 60 tonnes during the same period.
Livestock, Poultry and Aquaculture
Around 38 % of households keep cattle; the total bovine inventory is approximated at 950 head. Chicken ownership is near‑universal, averaging ≈48 birds per household. The commune maintains one fish pond covering 7.6 ha; 2022 provincial fisheries records estimate production of about 0.81 tonnes of pangasius and 0.28 tonnes of tilapia from this facility, reflecting modest but growing aquaculture activity.
Non‑Farm Economic Activities
Approximately 90 % of households engage in at least one non‑agricultural source of income. Main activities are:
- timber extraction under state permits;
- operation of small retail shops along Provincial Road 15;
- seasonal labor on regional infrastructure projects and mining sites in the province.
A developing segment involves eco‑tourism services (guesthouse hosting and guided tours to nearby archaeological sites), with participation rising roughly 12 % between 2020 and 2023.
Infrastructure, Utilities and Connectivity
The commune is linked to provincial towns via a paved road connecting Kampong Trach District center to Provincial Road 3. Electrical service reaches ≈71 % of households; the remaining dwellings use diesel generators or solar home systems installed under a World Bank mini‑grid pilot (approximately 150 units by early 2024). Water supply relies mainly on shallow tube wells; about 48 % of villages have piped water networks established in 2023. Cellular coverage includes 3G/4G services from the major Cambodian operators, enabling basic internet access.
Education
Boeng Sala Khang Cheung operates two primary schools—Boeng Sala Primary School (≈1,260 pupils) and Damnak Trek Primary School (≈950 pupils)—both serving more than half female students. At the secondary level there is Prey Chruk Secondary School, enrolling roughly 780 learners. All schools fall under the provincial Education Office and receive annual operational subsidies for teaching staff and learning materials.
Health Services
A rural health centre provides basic medical care, employing one physician, two nurses and a midwife. Daily outpatient consultations averaged about 32 during 2021, covering primary ailments, maternal‑child services and minor trauma management.
Environmental Features and Conservation Efforts
The western border of the commune includes ≈73 ha of mangrove‑type forest protected under the provincial Lower Mekong Basin Wetland Reserve designation (established 2019). These coastal woods act as natural flood buffers, sanctuary for biodiversity including several bird species listed in national protection lists, and contribute to carbon sequestration.
Recent Development Initiatives
In February 2023 the District Administration partnered with an international development NGO to launch the Sustainable Livelihoods Enhancement Project targeting small‑scale fishers and rice farmers. The program supplies fingerlings, provides micro‑loans at preferential interest rates, and delivers training on market linkage for surplus agricultural produce. Official targets aim to raise average household income by around 10 % within three years, while promoting environmentally sustainable practices.
Collectively, these factual elements outline Boeng Sala Khang Cheung Commune’s demographic composition, agrarian base, ancillary economic activities, public service provision and environmental assets, highlighting its role within the broader rural context of Kampong Trach District and Kampot Province.