The public has a unique opportunity to lend their taste buds in the name of research by participating in a sensory test of recently harvested hybrid varieties of rice at the Agriculture and Agrifood Expo.

Since the opening of the expo on November 19, there has been great public interest on the progress of Brunei’s bid towards rice self-sufficiency.

The rice sensory tests consists of the recently harvested hybrid varieties produced by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood and Sun-Land Agritech Ltd from national favourites such as ‘Laila’ rice, ‘Pusu’ rice, and Thai rice.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the expo so they can place their vote, choosing a variety that suits their palates best.

Other highlights of the expo include a Padi pavilion exhibit, which showcases traditional tools of the trade such as the ‘durung’ and ‘kisaran’.

In August this year, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources through the Department of Agriculture reviewed the Government’s policy for rice, releasing short term and medium term targets in local rice production in which local rice production is expected to increase by 20 per cent by next year and a further 60 per cent by 2015.

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