APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

SUPHAN BURI : A plan by Bayer CropScience AG to build a hybrid rice production base has stirred unease among farmers who fear the adverse effects of introducing new varieties.

They demanded the government refrain from supporting multinational companies investing in hybrid rice and focus instead on promoting native rice varieties.

Bayer CropScience last week unveiled a plan to create a 100-million-baht rice development centre on 80 rai in this central region rice-growing province.

The company said the centre will research and develop hybrid rice to create varieties that suit the Thai climate and consumer demand.

It said it expected a 5% market share when full commercialisation of hybrid rice seeds begins within three years.

Company chairman Friedrich Berschauer said there was no hurry to commercialise hybrid rice.

Instead the company would focus on creating an understanding among local rice growers of the benefits.

"We understand that rice is a very sensitive product in your country. So we need to create trust among local farmers first. We want to make them believe in our product quality by making their own decision based on the facts," Mr Berschauer said.

The company said the yield production of its "Arize" hybrid rice is at least 20% higher than the best inbred varieties.

However, Witoon Lianchamroon, director for Biothai Foundation, a non-government organisation working on farmers' rights protection, said farmers should be cautious about switching from native rice species to hybrid ones.

He said although hybrid rice gave a higher yield than native varieties, paddy farmers would suffer from rising investment cost per rai.

This was because hybrid rice seeds are more expensive and could not be replanted in the new season because of a limiting genetic inheritance, forcing farmers to buy new seeds instead of collecting seeds as they do with conventional rice, he added.

Exporting hybrid rice could harm the reputation of Thai rice as consumers would be confused between hybrid rice and Thai native rice, Mr Witoon said.

"Our rice is well-known for its high quality, soft texture, unique fragrance and good taste, while most hybrid rice varieties are less popular due to inferior quality and taste," he said.

By Bangkok Post On 21 Nov 2008

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