The government has pledged to promote high-value riceberry, targeting to increase plantations to cover more than 10,000 rai this year.
Commerce permanent secretary Chutima Bunyapraphasara said authorities have convinced rice farmers under the Riceberry Valley scheme to form 17 groups of riceberry producers on about 5,000 rai in 13 provinces.
The groups now have 354 riceberry farmers producing a combined 1,000 tonnes of paddy.
Those farmers have agreed to shift to organic farming from chemical-based production while committing to selling their produce with the same quality standards and under a single brand.
They are also asking for certification from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.
Riceberry is a cross-bred unmilled rice with dark violet grains that is a combination of Hom Nin rice, with well-known antioxidant properties, and Hom Mali rice. It has three times more iron than other varieties.
"One of the key problems in Thailand's riceberry production in general is a lack of cooperation from farmers in producing rice in accordance with organic standards," Ms Chutima said.
"Each farmer has acted independently in their rice production, which results in their produce failing to meet quality standards, thus making it difficult to market."
In a bid to promote high-value grains in international markets, the Commerce Ministry has teamed up with the Agriculture Ministry to prepare quality standards for coloured rice available in Thailand, starting with riceberry varieties that are becoming increasingly popular.
Standards for other famous grains such as black fragrant rice and Song Yod rice are in the pipeline.
Thailand has an estimated 213,000 rai of plantation areas for organic produce, with 9,200 farmers producing 80,000 tonnes of organic products a year.
Organic rice accounts for 68% of organic produce exports, followed by vegetables at 12% and fruits at 8%. Tea, herbal products, cosmetics and spa products contribute the rest.
Despite bleak prospects for overall exports, organic farm products were estimated to fetch 4.4-4.6 billion baht in 2015 against 4 billion in 2014.
In a bid to support and promote organic products, the government has put organic farming development on the national agenda and approved major strategies that call for developing knowledge and understanding, database development, expanding in both domestic and export markets and promoting product diversity.
The government has also pledged to support incentives for organic farmers and traders.
The Commerce Ministry is committed to promoting closer cooperation between state agencies and the private sector and encouraging consumer awareness about the health benefits of organic products.
According to Ms Chutima, the Commerce Ministry is mapping out the new edition of Thailand's organic product strategic development plan for 2017-21.
The ministry is also hosting the annual Organic & Natural Expo, Thailand's largest trade show for the organic and natural products industry, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from July 28-31.
The four-day event is aimed at building networks among manufacturers and entrepreneurs in the fields of organic and natural products and services.