At the invitation of Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) sent a delegation to Thailand for technical exchanges during December 22^nd to 26^th. Delegates included CNRRI Party Secretary Fang Jun and other 5 experts in the fields of rice cropping, genetic breeding, crop protection and rice economy. The visit was made for the purpose of implementing the “Rice Production & Technology Program”, a Sino-Thai agricultural cooperative exchange program co-sponsored by Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, aiming at boosting the two countries’ exchanges and cooperation on rice science and technology through mutual visits.

During their stay, CNRRI delegates visited Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Rice Department (hereinafter called Rice Department) and its affiliated organizations, including Thailand Rice Research Institute, Pathumthani Rice Research Institute and Suphan Buri Rice Research Center, as well as other rice research institutes (Kasetsart University) and rice production and processing enterprises (Hia Chai Rice Seed Association, Cho Heng Rice Vermicelli Factory, etc.) The delegation was also invited to the first Thailand Rice Festival and the related activities. During the visit, the two sides exchanged their views on rice production, technical R&D, technology promotion, rice processing and trade, and held discussions on how to promote further bilateral technical cooperation.

On the final day of the visit, CNRRI delegation, Rice Department representatives and technicians and officials from Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs held talks on the next step of collaboration. Ms. Fang Jun concluded the fruitful results of this visit and pointed out the focal point of future cooperation. On behalf of CNRRI, Fang extended her gratitude on the invitation and hospitality of Thailand, and invited Mr. Chanpitha Shimphalee, Director of Rice Department to visit CNRRI in 2015. Mr. Chanpitha Shimphalee expressed his willingness to visit China and his expectations for deeper communications and cooperation with CNRRI. Cooperation agreement was signed by Ms. Fang Jun and Mr. Chanpitha Shimphalee.

The delegation also reached initial consensus with the Department of Agronomy, Kasetsart University on rice science and technology cooperation.