Rice Department pushes for complete rice monitoring project

Rice Department pushes for complete rice monitoring project

SUPHAN BURI, 19 September 2017, (NNT) - The Rice Department has revealed its key projects ahead of the mobile cabinet meeting, showcasing a system to supervise the entire process of rice production, the development of rice strains that suit agriculturalists' needs and the construction of rice fields to be featured at the Royal Funeral of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 

According to Director-General of the Rice Department Anan Suwannarat, the project will allow the government to effectively supervise and support the production of rice and integrate the works of several related governmental units in assisting the rice farmers. 

He further explained that the one-stop-service for rice production project is a combined efforts of the Commerce Ministry, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, and other related agencies, adding that these units will work together to assist farmers in producing and marketing their products, while overseeing the social and cultural aspects of the rice production. 

Director-General Anan stated that the key goals of this project is to create balance in demand and supply of rice, increase the effectiveness of rice production, discourage farmers from growing off-season rice, and encourage the planting of alternative crops. The project also promotes the large scale farming scheme which reduces costs and increases profits. 

Director-General Anan then talked about the development of various rice strains that satisfy the varying needs of rice farmers, saying that it is one of the main duties of the Rice Department to develop strains of rice that yield abundance produce, and that are pest resistant and tolerant of harsh weather conditions. 

He pointed out that, since the central region has a healthy irrigation system, the department believes that the suitable strains of rice for the region should be the ones giving out plenty of grains, and can withstand pest and cold. However, over the past couple of years, the department has shifted its focus to developing rice that is resilient to climate change. 

He made known that interested agriculturalists can inquire of and pick up these special strains of rice at the provincial offices of the department. 

Director-General Anan also stated that his organization will construct three rice fields as part of the decoration at the Royal Funeral site of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The rice fields represent the three stages of rice cultivation. Each field will bear three different strains of rice including the Pathumthani 1, the Jasmine 105, and the Pathumthani 80.

 

-- nnt 2017-09-19