BANGKOK, August 18 (TNA) – Thailand is set to adopt a new five-year national rice strategy that focuses on promoting the country’s rice competitiveness and new rice varieties.
The Ministry of Commerce’s Foreign Trade Department’s Director-General Keerati Rushchano said on Tuesday that the marketing-led production strategy for 2020-2024 would be officially announced later this month.
Under the new strategy, the government would promote new rice products in both domestic and international markets, said Mr Keerati.
Thai rice exports from January to August 14 have dropped, shipping 3.4 million tonnes, 1 32 percent decrease from the same period of last year. The stronger baht has caused prices of Thai rice products to increase.
The five-year strategic plan is expected to focus on marketing for soft-textured white rice and greater attention on research and development to improve yield and quality, according to Mr Keerati.
The senior official said that development and innovation would help offset the lower competitiveness by adding value to Thai rice products. (TNA)
