In April 2026, we conducted maintenance work and an operational check of the observation tower installed to evaluate methane emissions from rice paddies in the Damnak Ampil Irrigation District, Pursat Province, Cambodia. This observation tower is used for measurements based on the gradient method, in which air is sampled at different heights and methane emissions from rice paddies are estimated by combining methane concentration differences with meteorological data, including wind speed.

During this field visit, we inspected the meteorological sensors, air-sampling tubes, power supply, control systems, and other components installed on the observation tower in preparation for full-scale monitoring during the upcoming wet-season rice crop. In particular, we checked and repaired wiring and protective components related to heat protection measures, which are intended to reduce the effects of strong solar radiation and high temperatures in Cambodia, as well as surge protection measures to protect the observation equipment from electrical surges that may occur during thunderstorms. Through this work, we advanced preparations for stable continuous monitoring during the wet-season cropping period.

We will continue monitoring in line with the start of the wet-season rice crop and accumulate data that will contribute to the social implementation of low-methane rice cultivation technologies in Cambodia, as well as to the development of future MRV (measurement, reporting, and verification) methodologies.