Thailand, the world's largest rice exporting nation has announced the development of a new hybrid rice strain with a potential capability of producing yields 20 % more than other varieties.

Prasert Kosalwit, director-general of Thailand's Rice Department, said that the Pathum Thani Rice Research Center had successfully invented a new hybrid rice which has been designated the PTT06001H which could produce yield 20 % more than other rice species.

The new strain is being looked to in some official quarters as a boon to Thailand's food security. It averages 117 centimeters tall and can be harvested in just 116 days, Mr. Prasert said.