Hom Siam is a photosensitive non-glutinous rice with medium height, high yield, good cooking quality, resistant to blast and drought conditions. The sturdy form of 120 cm height prevents plants from falling over under windy condition and makes it easy for machine harvest befitting the modern farming. Application for a variety registration of Hom Siam has been filed with the Department of Agriculture.

BIOTEC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Theerayut Toojinda who leads BIOTEC rice research team explained that Hom Siam was developed by employing marker-assisted selection technology. Marker-assisted selection is a powerful technology, enabling breeders to speed up the breeding process and make it more efficient to achieve rice cultivars with desired characteristics and climate resilience. Dr. Kanyanat Sirithunya, an expert in rice breeding and farmer participatory field trial, added information on field trials of Hom Siam. In 2020, the trials were conducted with the participation of farmers in three provinces, namely Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen and Sisaket. The results showed an average yield of 530 kg per rai (3.31 tons per ha), 2.1 times higher than that of jasmine rice KDML105 planted in the same field. In 2021, the field trials were expanded to area in the upper northern and northeastern Thailand. A total of 31 rice farmers from 12 provinces joined the field trial project this year, covering a total planting area of 21 rai (3.36 ha).