It is hard to believe that world-renowned Thai Hom Mali Rice comes from northeastern Thailand, once the most arid part of the country.
Thung Kula Ronghai, or Dry Prairie, spreads over an area of 21 million Rai (8.4 million acre), covering the five provinces of Roiet, Maha Sarakham, Surin, Sisaket and Yasothon, consisting mainly of sandy soil that does not retain water or soil nutrients. More-over, salinity is found in various spots.
The soil and the harsh climatic conditions have become a prominent feature of the norteastern region. A lot of local people left their homeland to seek a new life elsewhere. But the exodus started slowing around 25 years ago when the government received assistance from Australia in 1982 for soil improvement in the Norteast. Several rice varieties were grown on a trail basis in this area. Hom Mali, in particular, was found to give a good yield and to have the best aroma of all.
Hom Mali rice grown at Thung Kula Ronghai originated from the Bang Khla District of Chachoengsao Province. It was later cultivated at the Khok Samrong experimental farm in Lop Buri Province by Agriculture Officials, who came up with the best variety called “Khao Khao Dok Mali 105”. This variety was distributed to farmers around the country for growing in 1965. Prachya Thanyadee, a former soil and fertilizer expert at Land Development Department, explained that the suitable soil conditions at Thung Kula Ronghai contributed to the mild aroma of Hom Mali.
When cooked, Hom Mali becomes soft and appetizing. As chemical fertilizers, if used in cultivation, will reduce the fragrance of Hom Mali, this rice variety tastes better without chemical fertilizers. If needed, organic fertilizers are best to ensure safety for consumers, improve the quality, and save costs.
Global rice production is about 500 million metric tons per year. From this, Thailand produces about 20 million tonnes. China and India are major producers at 200 and 150 million tonnes annually respectively. Even so, both countries need to import rice to satisfy domestic demand. Rice production in Thailand is sufficient for local consumption, and the country exports around 6 to 7 million tonnes a year, worth 50 billion Baht. Of this, 1.5 million tonnes are Hom Mali, with an export value of 15 billion Baht. Thailand produces about 2.8 million tonnes of Hom Mali rice a year on 18 million Rai (7.2 million acre) across the country. Around 80 percent of the Hom Mali acreage is in the Northeast. Efforts have been made to increase Hom Mali rice output per Rai (0.4 acre).
Thailand is the world's largest rice exporter, and Hom Mali is recognized as the top grade of rice. Thai Hom Mali rice is not only an aromatic crop, but also a safe product for consumption. This cash crop has helped revive the vast arid land in the Northeast into a golden rice field, which has generated income for farmers, who are recognized as Thailand's national backbone. So next time you traffic in the Northeast and you see rice waving in the wind... you know what it is...
