BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 – Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday (June 3) opened a fair held in celebration of the National Rice and Farmers Day, June 5, at the Rice Department inside Kasetsart University in Bang Khen District.
The fair is being organized by the Rice Department from June 3 to 5, under the theme of ‘Rice and Thai Farmers: Heart of the Nation’. The Cabinet has designated June 5 as the National Rice and Farmers Day to commemorate the day King Rama VIII and his younger brother, HRH Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej, visited Kasetsart University in 1946 and sowed rice seeds into the experimental field, signifying the importance of rice as the main staple food of Thai people.
The day is also designed to boost morale of farmers and encourage people to realize the importance of rice and farmers who are the backbone of the nation.
The 3-day fair features an exhibition on rice-related projects initiated by Their Majesties the King and Queen, innovations and researches by related units and several demonstrations such as rice production technology and decorative items made from rice. Other highlights include a contest of rice milling machines aimed at reducing dependence on imported equipment, and ancient-style rice sowing and pounding competitions.
