BANGKOK, July 17 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to make Thailand the rice export champion in two years, Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Prapat Pothasuthon said.
He said that the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry would speed up research and development on rice varieties and the improvement of rice production. He also assigned the Rice Department to organize a rice contest and a forum on the same occasion for academics, researchers, farmers and other relevant parties to discuss the improvement of rice to meet local and foreign consumers’ demand.
Mr Prapat said he hoped Thailand could regain its rice export championship next year. He added that Thailand would improve its rice varieties to vie for the World’s Best Rice award.
Sudsakorn Pattarakulnit, director-general of the Rice Department, said he would discuss the market-centered development of rice with relevant parties including representatives of seed collectors and producers and rice millers and exporters. His department would promote commercial rice seed production and premium rice varieties. (TNA)
