Tuesday May 30, 2023 – Khon Kaen University held the opening ceremony for the workshop under the project for transferring technology and promoting farming occupation on the topic of “Production, Manufacture and Utilization of Black Soldier Fly”. The workshop was organized in full cycle to support Northeast farmers to produce protein insects as sustainable animal feeds. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over the opening ceremony. Distinguished attendants included Assoc. Prof. Poramet Banthoeng, Vice Dean for Research, Innovation and Foreign Affairs of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Yupa Hanboonsong, Ph.D., Head of the Project; and Khun Supaporn Chokchalermwong, Director of the Innovation and Research Funding Division 1, National Research Council of Thailand. A number of administrators, deans and representatives from some faculties also joined. The opening ceremony was held at Sarasin Room, 2nd Floor, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University. The training was organized at the Industrial Insect Unit, Khon Kaen University.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that one vision of KKU is to be a world class research and development university, with knowledge and multiplicity of research works that are ready to be disseminated to the society. The project of the use of protein from insects as the raw material in the industry that produces animal feed is one project among many, which the University is certain that the outcomes can upgrade the quality of life of people and increase the household incomes. This will lead to sustainable well-being of northeaster farmers.
Khun Supaporn Chokchalermwong, Director of the Innovation and Research Funding Division 1, National Research Council of Thailand 1 revealed that the responsibilities of NRCT are to support researchers and research institutions and to apply the bodies of knowledge from research works for true benefits of the people. Collaboration with Khon Kaen University this time is training of farmers with technologies and occupations in manufacturing of protein insects. The farmers will be able to reduce their costs in the production and raise their incomes. This is the real and concrete extension of research work.
Prof. Yupa Hanboonsong, Ph.D., Head of the Project added that the training in technologies and occupation for the farmers on “Production, Manufacture and Utilization of Black Soldier Fly” is one activity under the project that promotes farmers in the Northeast to produce protein insects as sustainable animal feed. The research is funded by NRCT with the project length of one year from March 22, 2023 to March 21, 2024. The objective of the project is to build a network of farmers who work on cash animals and who are able to produce protein insects to lessen costs of animal feeds. There will be more chance to use protein insects and an alternative protein used in producing industrial animal feeds. The outcome will be upgraded quality of life of people and solution of poverty for those with low income, and hence, the social gap will be reduced. The target group of the project comprises at least 100 farmers who farm fish and chicken in the Northeast.
“The training activities were organized at the building for full-cycle research and production of industrial insects. There are 4 groups of 25 trainees each. The training lasts 2 days, including lectures on farming and producing protein insects, utilization, and manufacturing processes. Each group has a chance to practice each step in farming the insects at the training.”
Assoc. Prof. Poramet Banthoeng, Vice Dean for Research, Innovation and Foreign Affairs of the Faculty of Agriculture explained that the Faculty of Agriculture transfers knowledge in full-cycle manufacturing of the insects, which is made feasible with the prototype protein insect farming building, laboratory, and modern technology that will help reducing costs in production of animal feeds for the farmers. Finally, the farmers will possess the knowledge in manufacturing protein insects as animal feeds as their occupation.
News: Jiraporn Prathomchai
