The Molecular Rice Breeding Program for the Mekong Region was launched in 2004 by BIOTEC-NSTDA and Kasetsart University, with the aim to promote the implementation of marker aided selection (MAS) into the current rice breeding program in the Mekong region, particularly Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar through a comprehensive hands-on training program and sharing of genomic information (genetic data for several traits and the molecular markers for several genes) and research facilities. The project has been financed by several sponsors, including the Rockefeller Foundation (2004), the Generation Challenge Programme (2007-2014), Kasetsart University, BIOTEC and NSTDA. Partners of this Program include the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), National Agricultural and Forestry Institute (NAFRI) from Laos, the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) from Myanmar and the Ubon Ratchathani University from Thailand. (Click here for more information)
