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The study concludes that the Stung Chinit watershed possesses sufficient water to support a 10% expansion of irrigated area and double-cropping of rice while protecting downstream flows, provided that well-coordinated water management is implemented. While climate change increases temperatures and irrigation demand, the research identifies poor water management as a greater threat to ecosystems and rice production than climate change itself. The findings indicate that promoting dry season rice without flow requirements would severely impact instream flows, but implementing such requirements results in only minor rice shortages that can be mitigated through improved cooperation and shifted irrigation practices.