Cambodia's Phka Mealadei rice sows seeds of success

Bowls of Pkha Mealadei in paddy form (top), in brown rice form with only the inedible husk – the outermost layer – removed and the edible layers intact (left) and white rice form with its husk, bran layer and germ removed. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN

PHNOM PENH, Aug 15 (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has released a selection of reassuring results of nearly a decade and a half of research on a hybrid rice variety found to be more resilient to climate change and produce significantly better yields than conventional cultivars.

Named after the captivating aromatic pearly-white tropical flower of the hardy gardenia evergreen shrub – also known by its botanical name Gardenia jasminoides, the “Phka Mealadei” cultivar has been a roaring success in its 10 years of experimental trials on farmers’ fields across the Kingdom.