Adding value to rice through greater innovation

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has for years promoted the use of innovation and technology in developing rice into a variety of products to sell at a higher value.

Its objective is to encourage sales of the grain in grammes, not by the tonne or in bulk.

Even though Thailand tops in the global rice industry with more than 9 million tonnes exported last year, competition is growing more intense from countries such as Vietnam, the US and Pakistan.

Some exporters have tried adding value by boosting the nutritional content of the grain with vitamins, but a number of innovations have resulted in new products made from rice.

An NIA study found strong potential in global markets for innovative rice businesses in Thailand, notably those using substances found in rice as ingredients in the manufacture of cosmetics, food supplements and medicines.

The agency has also provided financial support to private firms and the research divisions of many organisations for projects such as quick-boiled rice, germinated brown rice and baby powder made from rice.

The NIA has contributed 10 million of the 257 million baht invested in supporting these projects since its establishment in 2003.

In 2007, the NIA joined with the Thai Rice Foundation to introduce a programme to promote greater innovation within the industry.

Together they inaugurated the Rice Innovation Award, scheduled to run for five years through 2011, with 1.5 million baht from the NIA to market innovative rice products commercially.

Asaya Siriaoutan, manager of the NIA's Innovation Culture Promotion Department, said the number of contestants in the project has increased each year, with more and more innovative projects.

"The trend of rice-based products that have a special function is on the rise including skin and health-care treatments, thanks to the valuable properties of rice,"she said.

Award-winning innovations have included rice bran oil as an ingredient in products such as shortening and cereal cream as well as using it as a substitute for butter and coconut milk.

Rice bran oil is lower in saturated fats and cholesterol and therefore suitable for health-conscious consumers.

Ms Asaya said apart from rice, the NIA has supported more than 600 creative projects in its eight years.

Food is a major industry in the country, and many Thai entrepreneurs have developed innovative products aimed at improving health, she said.

People nowadays understand better that prevention is better than cure, a concept that is conducive to innovation, said Ms Asaya.

(Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/237387/adding-value-to-rice-through-greater-innovation)