Researchers at the University of Arizona are cross-breeding rice found in Thailand to produce new strains that would be more drought-tolerant, disease-resistant and have higher yields.
If they are successful, in five years, these super rice strains could boost crop production in Thailand and help ease hunger and malnutrition in many parts of the world, according to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who presided over the First International Conference on Rice for the Future.