2006-2010: Peak clearance for maize boom
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As a result of increasing demand of cereals for fast growing agro-industries in the region, profitability of maize was as high as 1500$/ha/year (constant price 2010) expediting exponentially the conversion of forest lands to farming land. It was called a period of maize boom and created a myth of becoming rich by farming. The farming became more intensified with mechanization and agro-chemicals especially herbicides imported from Thailand.
In general, the price of land was increasing. Believing to generate high profits in farming, farmers sold high price land in their hometown for instance in Kampong Cham and bought the cleared land here at cheaper price to enlarge the farmland. There was no more available forest lands except the hills and mountains that were illegally appropriated by new poor in-migrants and the locals who sold out the flat land.
