Cambodia's cows have predicted a good harvest at the country's annual royal ploughing ceremony.

The ritual is held to mark the official start of the rice season.

Two sacred oxen are tied to a wooden log as they plough a plot of land, and are then offered rice, corn and beans.

This year Cambodia's chief royal astrologer Kang Ken predicted that corn will produce the best crop followed by beans and rice.

Farmers at the colourful ceremony, attended by King Norodom Sihamoni, were pleased with the result.

But with rising food prices and a regional shortage of rice, the nation still prayed for more rains and better irrigation.

Cambodia has urged farmers to expand their rice harvest and will aim to produce seven million tonnes for 2008 and 2009.

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