The crops include soybeans maize, sesame, green beans and oil palm.

Anchalee Ooraikul, secretary-general of Agricultural Economics Office, said yesterday that the Thai companies were interested not only in investing in the farm business in Cambodia's border provinces but also in purchasing farm commodities.

Led by the office, the companies have sought opportunities in Cambodia to grow commercial crops. Part of the harvests will be sent back as raw materials to their production bases in Thailand.

Three Cambodian landlords have offered to lease 2.5 million rai of farmland to Thai companies. They want Thailand to develop the fields and create jobs for 10,000 people living in the area.

"Cambodian farmers are ready to grow any crop following the demands of Thai companies," Anchalee said.

Contract framing will respond to the policies of the two countries to strengthen cooperation in job and income creation and also economic growth.

Imports of those crops will not affect Thailand's farm production because the agreement will focus only on plants that face shortages. The Agriculture Ministry will also consider imposing import quotas to balance supply and demand.

Imports of farm goods from Cambodia are expected to increase by Bt1.1 billion to Bt5 billion this year.