TISTR’S TECHNOLOGIES TRANSFER TO RURAL AREAS

             TISTR  transferred its technologies to rural communities during fiscal year 2003 as follows:

            Production of biofertilizer liquid organic fertilizer and soil improvement materials from agriculture industry waste and   garbage. The program was a demonstration, training, and extension to 255 farmers in Nakhon Sawan, Chumphon, Buri Ram, Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces in order to utilize agriculture industry waste.

            Production of liquid organic fertilizer and soil improvement material from agriuculture industry waste and community garbage. The program was a demonstration, training, and extension to 300  farmers in Loei, Krabi and Ubon Rachatani provinces.

            Extension of producing organic fertilizer in the southern border provinces. The training was on producing organic fertilizer from fish in the southern border provinces. There were 144 participants from Nong Trud farmers group, Muang district, Trang province; 34 participants from Mukpatana housewife group, Kantung district, Trang province; 42 participants from Kasetinchee Kho Yor, Muang district, Songkhla province and 34 from Mapang Youth’s Agricultural Group, Mapang district, Satun province.

            Process improvement in the production of biofertilizer and organic fertilizer. This program has focused on improving the processes, production and making use of the biofertilizer and organic fertilizer in both pellet and aqueous forms. The training was conducted with the attendance of 185 participants. Among them are 85 farmers from Petchaburi province, and 100 from Nong Khai province.

            Testing on commercially production of Arbuscula micorrhizal fungi. Focused on making use of micorrhiza, this technology transfer was accomplished with the attendance of 140 participants. Among them, 140 farmers were from Prachin Buri province, 40 from Rayong province and 60 from Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province.

            Fruit processing: The program was conducted from 387 participants of housewife group. This program consisted of three training sessions. First, a training session on producing longan syrup filled in glass bottles was conducted with the attendance of 66 participants from Soydow housewife group and Pong Nam Ron housewife group, Chanthaburi province. Secondly, a training on producing dehydrated papaya was conducted with the attendance of 277 participants. The trainees were from the housewife groups in Narathiwat province, Songkla province, and Surat Thani  province. The third training on fruit processing was about durian power. The participants were 44 cultivators from Rayong province.

            Propagation of economic crops. Focused on producing and propagating economic crops, such as dragon fruits, Magnolia sp., mangoes, and medicinal herbs, this program was aimed at germplasm conservation, plantations, and selling. A training session was carried out to 109 farmers in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province.

            Techniques in seed production and seed storage. This program carried out a training session on the production and storage of seeds in the community for earning extra income.Trainings were carried out to 370 participants in several provincial areas: 80 farmers in Prasat district, Surin province; 70 in Phon Phisai district, Nong Khai province; 120 in Bang Lane district, Nakhon Pathom province, and 100 in Mae Jai district, Payao province.

            Beverage production from medicinal plants and fresh fruits. This program was aimed at producing mild alcoholic drinks from local fruits and cereals recognized as of the community’s uniqueness. The end products, such as mulberry wine, litchi wine, mangosteen wine, and apple wine should be an enabling for the community’s increased earnings. Training was carried out to 200 participants: 100 farmers in Hua Na sub-district, Khemarat district, Ubon Rachathani province, and 100 in Na Khao sub-district, Khao Panom district, Krabi province.

                Production of Spirulina sp. food as low-cost health supplement. Focused on production and nutritional value of Spirulina sp., this program carried out training on producing edible Spirulina algae and production technology to 60 rural people in Akat Amnuai district, Sakon Nakhon province.

            Demonstration and training workshop on production of TISTR interlocked blocks for construction and their usage. Training on producing TISTR interlocked blocks for construction and their usage was carried out to 694 participants from the rural areas of Central, Southern, Northern, and North-eastern regions of Thailand.  This technology transfer program could be beneficial to the participants, helping them achieve a level of self-sufficiency, particularly for the livelihoods of rural people. Building rural houses and drinking-water tanks for households using the interlocked blocks were demonstrated.

            Highland agricultural development. This program has focused on techniques in cultivating temperate mushrooms, such as Button, Oyster, and Shiitake, using waste from the agricultural areas. Trainings were carried out to 395 farmers in Mae Hong Son province, Chiangmai province, and Chiangrai province.  

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            The 4th transfer of scientific and technological knowledge for youths. A group of 44 students were selected from those who had submitted essays under the title “ Young Scientist and Forest Conservation”. The selected students were from grade 7-9 from schools all over the country. They have been trained and acquired knowledge in science and technology about the environment and nature. They also have learnt how to utilize things from nature as well as to realize the importance of environmental conservation and how local people could live with nature.