Singapore: Six leading agencies from Thailand - The Rice Department, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC), Thai Rice Foundation under Royal Patronage, National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI), The Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA) and National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) have joined hands to promote the production of high quality rice seeds.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Mr Chanpittaya Chimpalee, director general of Rice Department; Mr Luck Wajananawat, president of BAAC; Dr Kwanchai Gomez, secretary general of The Thai Rice Foundation under Royal Patronage; Dr Pichet Durongkaveroj, secretary-general of STI; Ms Kunvara Chotiphansophon, deputy director of ARDA and Dr Thaweesak Koanantakool, president of NSTDA.

The collaboration aims to develop a network of rice seed producers and distributors; upgrade the system of production and certification of high quality seed and meet the rice seed demand of the country.

The activities will include a training program in seed production and boosting the human capital in the field of seed certification; raising awareness about the importance of quality seeds among farmers, access to financial resources for farmers and business operators in the value chain.