Kamphaeng Phet:Professor Dr. Yotsanun Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, is championing agricultural innovation in Kamphaeng Phet with a focus on "banana varieties and custom-made fertilizer" as profitable ventures. He aims to accelerate the production of disease-free cassava seeds and transform university lands into agricultural hubs to alleviate poverty.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Dr. Yotsanun visited Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University, where he delivered a lecture emphasizing the role of universities as think tanks for sustainable development. He highlighted the importance of leveraging local resources, including the GI-certified banana, to enhance economic development through innovation.
Professor Dr. Yotsanun stressed the role of innovation in converting agricultural produce into income, noting the signing of a cooperation agreement with Rajabhat Universities to mobilize resources and drive Kamphaeng Phet to become a "Sandbox" for creating added value from natural resources.
He discussed the use of research from the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) to reduce agricultural costs and increase productivity. This includes innovations like custom-made fertilizers that combine chemical and organic components, significantly reducing chemical use while boosting yields and preventing soil degradation.
Further innovations include the development of a "dwarf banana" variety to withstand weather challenges and the production of disease-free cassava planting materials. The initiative aims to increase cassava yields by over 80% and distribute these materials to farmers within a year.
Professor Dr. Yotsanun also outlined a comprehensive approach to poverty eradication, focusing on transforming university campuses into resources for the public. This includes providing communal farming land and teaching vocational and business skills to improve livelihoods.
The event featured a tour of the university's research projects, including natural fabric dyes from banana plant waste, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TISTR and the Liquor Organization to promote ethanol and local spirit production.