![Topaz the new gem in rice crown Topaz the new gem in rice crown](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2088303.jpg/r0_0_1500_1000_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A NEW rice variety was launched today on the first day of the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia’s annual conference in Swan Hill, Victoria.
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The semi-dwarf fragrant rice variety ‘Topaz’ will be available to growers this October when the planting of next year’s crop commences and will be on supermarket shelves as of June 2015.
The variety was developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in partnership with the Rural Industries Research Development Corporation, SunRice and Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd.
DPI rice breeders Ben Ovenden and Peter Snell, based at Yanco, developed Topaz and were both at Swan Hill for the official launch.
![Topaz the new gem in rice crown Topaz the new gem in rice crown](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2088306.jpg/r0_0_1500_1000_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
DPI deputy director General Michael Bullen, RIRDC Board chair Daniela Stehlik, DPI rice breeders Peter Snell and Ben Ovenden, Yanco, and SunRice chairman Gerry Lawson.
“There’s definitely demand for fragrant varieties,” Mr Snell said.
“It’s a variety targeted for rice growing in the Murrumbidgee Valley,” Mr Ovenden added.
“It’s a variety that’s helping farmers to meet consumer needs,” he said.
The variety was market tested in Hong Kong and outperformed other varieties for taste, appearance and flavour.
NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson also put the new variety to the test today at an exclusive cooking demonstration and taste-testing at NSW Parliament, hosted by chef and author, Poh Ling Yeow.
Ms Hodgkinson said that unlike other fragrant varieties often grown in tropical and sub-tropical conditions, Topaz was bred for the temperate Riverina region, opening a new market for the region's growers.
![Topaz the new gem in rice crown Topaz the new gem in rice crown](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2088305.jpg/r0_0_1500_1000_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson and celebrity chef and author Poh Ling Yeow.
“Jasmine-style fragrant rice is the largest segment of the Australian rice market and one of the fastest growing rice markets globally," she said.
“For Australian consumers, Topaz will mean access to a new locally grown, high quality fragrant rice variety, while in our Asian markets Topaz will provide an exciting new option in fragrant grains.”
NSW rice growers produce more than 90 per cent of the Australian rice crop.
Click on the image above to watch DPI's video on the development of Topaz
- with FarmOnline