Modern Agriculture at the Forefront: KKU’s Northeastern Agriculture Fair Drives Innovation for Grassroots Economic Development

22 January 2026
17:50

The Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University (KKU), is set to elevate the 2026 Northeastern Agriculture Fair under the rallying concept, “Market Leadership, Innovation Enhancement, Income Generation, Environmental Care.” The event integrates public and private sector network partners to disseminate agricultural knowledge, technology, and innovation to farmers and the wider public, aiming to stimulate the regional economy with an expected circulation exceeding 600 million baht.

The Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, is preparing to host the 2026 Northeastern Agriculture Fair from 23 January to 1 February 2026, at the KKU Agricultural Technology Park. The fair, guided by the central theme, “Market Leadership, Innovation Enhancement, Income Generation, Environmental Care,” serves as a tangible platform for transmitting up-to-date knowledge, modern technologies, and innovations to agriculturalists, students, and the general public.

Assistant Professor Thidarat Monkam, Lecturer in Crop Science and Chairperson of the Public Relations and Mass Communications Sub-Committee for the 2026 Northeastern Agriculture Fair, revealed via the “Around KKU” programme on FM 103 MHz that this year’s event is notable for its excellent content, diverse activities, and superior facilities. It focuses on linking production, marketing, and innovation to genuinely enable farmers to build upon the knowledge gained, advance their careers, and increase product value.

The core concept drives the activities within the fair, which include exhibitions of agricultural innovations, demonstrations of precision plot management technology, e-Service soil verification systems, and value-added processing of agricultural outputs. Crucially, the fair also promotes environmentally friendly production and carbon reduction practices in the agricultural sector.

Assistant Professor Thidarat added that the Northeastern Agriculture Fair would not be successful without the comprehensive cooperation of network partners, especially agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, various government departments, the private sector, and farmer networks. All partners share the collaborative goal of strongly and sustainably advancing Thailand’s agricultural sector.

The fair also allocates dedicated areas for students from all ten disciplines within the Faculty of Agriculture to present practical outcomes derived from their classroom knowledge. This underscores the university’s role in producing graduates equipped with both academic knowledge and practical skills, while allowing parents and the public to observe the potential of agricultural youth closely.

To facilitate convenient access for attendees, the organising committee has developed online information systems, digital maps, and daily activity schedules, all easily accessible through the event’s website and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/aggiekkufair). Furthermore, traffic management, parking areas, public service points, restrooms, and rest areas have been improved. Security is also ensured through collaboration with internal university units and Srinagarind Hospital.

Highlights of the event include demonstrations of real crop plots managed by government agencies, pet contests, academic seminars, the northeastern Luk Thung music competition, cultural performances, and agro-tourism activities, providing the public with a comprehensive opportunity to “view, taste, shop, and test” agricultural innovations.

Assistant Professor Thidarat concluded by emphasising that the Northeastern Agriculture Fair is a potent mechanism for stimulating the community economy. Last year, the fair attracted over one million visitors and generated more than 600 million baht in circulation. This year, the event targets over 1.5 million participants. She extended an invitation to farmers and the public to attend, gain new perspectives on agriculture, and join in the sustainable development of the grassroots economy.