Thailand's five newly-developed rice strains officially approved

BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) - Thailand's Rice Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has officially approved five newly-developed healthy rice strains in the country. The department's director-general, Prasong Prapaitrakul, told journalists of the update on Thursday, after a meeting of his department's panel in charge of considering and approving new locally-grown rice strains. "The five newly-approved Thai rice strains with their certified healthy traits include white rice RD81 and RD83 (Nong Khai 62), as well as white rice Chasor 62, Med Fai 62 and Hom Bai Toey 62", Prasong stated. The senior official raised as some examples that white rice RD83 (Nong Khai 62) and Med Fai 62 contain antioxidants, while white rice RD81 and Hom Bai Toey 62 have low amylose levels, which are good for consumers' health. (TNA)