“Jasmine rice” originates from rice fields in the central region. But it grows as far as Thung Kula Rong Hai.

                                                                  Illustrated content - Thung Kula Jasmine Rice in harvest season

After World War 2, there was a situation of expensive rice and fish food. The United Nations predicts that there will be food shortages in the future. Therefore initiated the Green Revolution project. To promote the production of cereals to feed world citizens America came to help with this project.

Thailand is focused on improving rice varieties. Focusing on high yield per rai. At the same time, ears of native rice are collected and selected for pure strains. and had good characteristics published in 1950, the American government sent two experts to support them, namely Dr. Robert Panderton (Dr.Robert Panderton), a soil expert. Come join us in improving land use and Dr.Harris H.Love, an expert in plant breeding, to help improve rice varieties. Until the end of the year, the 30 rice workers who attended the training dispersed to collect samples of good rice varieties from all over the country. to study and experiment Select and purify the breed.

Sheaves of rice from that mission There was one ear that turned into a root. “Jasmine rice” at present

 Mr. Sunthorn Sihanen, former rice worker, Bang Kla District, Chachoengsao Province Belonging to the Rice Division, Department of Agriculture, one of the employees who attended the training has good area expertise. Therefore, he was assigned to collect rice varieties in the eastern region.

Some areas are outdated. Farmers still do traditional farming in nature. Most of the rice fields are garden fields. Because it is a low-lying, orchard area, farmers use the method of planting rice. The rice grown is a hydrophilic rice variety (free from water). If planted in a river basin, The rice will rot and die because it is flooded. In the past, rice fields in the Bang Khla or Chachoengsao area were considered to be the country's prime rice growing areas. Jasmine rice is also a famous rice of Bang Khla District that has been around for a long time. Mr. Sunthorn decided to collect and send to develop the "Hom Mali" strain (originally Bang Kla farmers called this rice variety "Hom Mali"). “Jasmine white rice”)

 There are principles for selecting and collecting rice varieties: “Must be fair to the rice plants” is: 1. Choose rice fields. They must be consecutive rice fields of 10-15 rai, growing rice of the same species, rice that is consistently beautiful. 2. Choose rice. Rice along rice fields has the advantage of absorbing fertilizer from empty rice fields, not Pick, the rice is more beautiful than usual. Don't pick, choose rice stalks that are strong and won't fall. Choose ears that have perfect rice grains. Good seed weight Choose to cut just one ear in the middle of the plant. which must be fully ripe

 But for jasmine rice, the above criteria cannot be used. Because jasmine rice must be grown on upland land. The flood did not reach The rice fields that are planted are usually small, 3-5 rai, distributed according to the topography.

 Jasmine rice from Bang Khla District that Mr. Sunthorn collected and sent to improve the breed. In 1955, the Department of Wholesale Trade planted and selected pure varieties. At the Khok Samrong Rice Experiment Station Lopburi Province. Later, in 1957, jasmine rice varieties were introduced to be tested for planting in various regions. It was found that jasmine rice was not suitable for growing in flood plains in the central region. Because the rice grains are fat, not strong, and break easily.

 In the North, strain number 103 (or ear number 103) gave good results, but because northern people do not like to consume rice. Therefore, there are few people growing it.

As for the northeastern region Jasmine rice strain 105 (ear 105) gives very good results, the best ears, long, slender, perfect seeds.

 When the selection of varieties and experimental planting of jasmine rice was successful. The Variety Consideration Committee therefore announced that the 105th Jasmine rice variety could be used for propagation on May 25, 1959, using the name "Khao Dok Mali 4-2-105" (4-District No. 4 is Bang Khla District, 2 - Rice variety number 2, 105 - rice ears have 105 selected varieties) but are often called Jasmine white rice 105

 After successfully selecting good quality jasmine rice varieties, in 1959, the Rice Department began a project to plant a large demonstration rice plot at Thung Kula. At that time it was still a vast deserted field. It covers the border area of 5 provinces, namely Surin, Sisaket, Yasothon, Roi Et and Maha Sarakham, by creating a large demonstration rice field of hundreds of rai around Thung Kula. Many countries have joined in to provide assistance, such as America and Australia, etc.

When planting jasmine rice around Thung Kula at that time had good yields. Farmers in the Thung Kula area have therefore turned to cultivating more jasmine rice. But until the jasmine rice fills Thung Kula It took more than 30 years from 1959-93.

When growing jasmine rice gave good results, other provinces in the northeast began to grow jasmine rice to sell because it fetched a high price. As for sticky rice, it is still grown for consumption. The Northeastern region has become the largest region where jasmine rice is grown and sold. But the quality of jasmine rice from other areas, even in the northeastern region, cannot compete with that from Thung Kula.

 In 1979, Thailand was able to export jasmine rice to the world market for the first time. to segment the already famous Indian basmati rice market. Important markets are America (Asian people living in America like to consume it), China, Europe, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, etc.

Incidentally, about this jasmine rice Some say it originated in Lopburi Province, others say it came from Laem Pradu. Phanat Nikhom District Chonburi Province by Mr. Charoon Tanthawut brought it to be planted in Bang Khla District in 1945. As for the name "Hom Mali", it is said that it was the name given by Mr. Pisan Mulasat Sathorn when he was the governor of Surin Province, who gave it after the name of Wife (Khunying Mali Mulasat Sathorn)

Information from: Sujit Wongthet, editor. Thung Kula "Kingdom of Salt" 2,500 years old, from the beginning of the backward era. To the wealthy era of Khao Mor, Matichon Publishing House 2003