Bangkok: The Ministry of Agriculture is accelerating the development of new rice varieties and production technologies to enhance the competitiveness of Thai rice. Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has emphasized the Ministry's commitment to improving rice yields, reducing costs, and meeting both market demands and farmers' needs under the policy of "Market-led, Innovation-enhanced, Increased Income."
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Rice has been allocated a research budget of approximately 200 million baht annually to support continuous research and innovation in developing rice varieties. The Director-General of the Department of Rice is tasked with seeking additional funding and government support from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation to expedite the creation and distribution of high-quality rice seeds to farmers.
Meeting global market demands is crucial, with a current preference for soft-textured rice. As a result, the Department of Rice continues its research and development efforts on high-yielding rice varieties. Two new varieties, KD113 and KD119, have been certified, offering farmers options that cater to both domestic and international markets. KD113 is known for its soft texture and yield of nearly 1 ton per rai, while KD119 is a fragrant variety with a short harvesting period of 95 days.
In response to the growing importance of environmentally friendly agricultural practices, the Ministry is promoting low-carbon rice production and wet-dry rice farming methods. These methods aim to reduce water usage, energy costs, and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining production levels and adding value to Thai rice for markets that emphasize sustainability.
Mr. Suriya highlighted the importance of upgrading production technology alongside rice breeding. The wet-dry farming technique, which uses less water than traditional methods, is particularly emphasized for its efficiency in resource utilization and competitive edge against major rice exporters.
Mr. Anont Nonthasri, Director-General of the Department of Rice, stated that the department is advancing rice production using the "3 Increases and 3 Decreases" approach-increasing yield, quality, and income, while reducing water usage, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. The strategy involves transferring appropriate technology and knowledge to enhance the efficiency and environmental friendliness of Thai rice production.
Mr. Suriya concluded that the primary objective is to elevate farmers' income by developing rice varieties, production technologies, and agricultural innovations. He asserts that the advancement of the agricultural sector is essential for sustaining the country's economic growth in the long term.