Two new Thai rice strains officially certified

BANGKOK, March 10 (TNA) - Thailand’s Rice Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has officially certified two new Thai rice strains, named "Khao Banna 432" and "Forget Husband". The department's director-general, Chairit Damrongkiart, said that "Khao Banna 432" is a deep-water white rice specific to Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok provinces, growing in at least one metre of water and adjusting well with higher water levels and even being able to survive in clogged water areas for at least a month; while "Forget Husband" is a black glutinous rice, both are high quality Thai grains. Chairit revealed that the annual harvest season of "Khao Banna 432" is normally in December and its soft and sticky properties allow its grains to be processed in the form of noodle and fermented rice flour noodle, and that "Forget Husband" is originally grown by ethnic Hmong villagers in Thailand’s mountainous areas with its properties including gamma oryzanol and high omega; so, when cooked, the rice grains emit a scent and are glossy, soft and sticky and can also be processed in other forms of food. The senior official acknowledged that his department has taken 10 years to complete the official certification process of the two new Thai rice strains and will widely promote growing of the two new rice strains among local farmers for both domestic consumption and exports. (TNA)