Rice department holds New Year gift fair

BANGKOK, Dec 19 (TNA) -- The public are invited to buy varieties of rice at the New Year gift fair, held by the Rice Department, said the department’s Director-General, Anan Suwannarat. The fair kicked off today and is scheduled to run until Dec 30 at the School of Rice and Farmers. As Thailand has more than 20,000 varieties of rice, which is the country’s strong point, he said. The department wants to publicize Thai rice varieties to Thai consumers, so they can choose the rice varieties to fit their nutrition’s need, he added. The fair will be the channel for farmers and local entrepreneurs to disseminate their products to consumers at reasonable prices in the wake of a supply glut. Farmers and local entrepreneurs will sell their products, including food, rice products and beverage. Fifty booths, supported by the rice department will sell rice to consumers. Milling rice and making rice products will be demonstrated every day from at 10 am to noon. The department expects about 1,500 visitors daily. (TNA)