HIt would not be wrong to say that Thailand is an “agricultural country” because there are 8.7 million farmers and the agricultural area is over 142.9 million rai or 44.5 percent of the total area of the country. As a result, the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (OTPS) analyzed the value of the gross domestic product (GDP) and found that the agricultural sector is worth 1,531,120 million baht or 8.81 percent of the country’s total GDP. However, natural problems that have reduced production and current economic problems have caused farmers with low incomes to face more debt problems. Some farmers have turned to “chemical agriculture” instead, hoping to increase production and income. However, this may damage the farmland and affect the sustainability of agriculture in the future.
This problem has led to academics turning to study methods to help farmers increase their income, have land conditions that are conducive to production, and create sustainability for farmers. This interest has led to... Assoc. Prof..Dr.Nantawan Ritdet, Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University Studying the method of solving the problem of “organic farming” by fermenting rice husks with microorganisms to nourish the soil and promote plant growth. This research was developed from the use of rice husks that were already used to improve the soil to be more efficient and create added value for Thai farmers.
This research used raw rice husks to be treated with tap water, molasses, lime, acetic acid for 30 days, and mixed with manure and bacteria (Co-inoculums) for 2 months. The results showed that the pre-treated with molasses and lime fermented with microorganisms promoted the growth of rice grains the best. These fermented rice husks were further tested in 3 types of soil: normal soil, saline soil, and acidic soil. Rice was also grown in all 3 types of soil. The results indicated that the pH and alkalinity of the fermented rice husks could balance the acidity of the acidic soil from acidic to neutral.
Experimenting to turn agricultural waste such as rice husks into quality nutrients helps solve the problem of soil degradation, making it ready for planting immediately. In addition, it also reduces the use of chemicals in products, thus reducing costs, increasing income, and creating sustainability for agriculture.
Assoc. Prof..Dr.Nantawan Ritdet He was interviewed about the challenges of this research, saying, “This research is a new experiment that has never happened before. Therefore, there must be continuous further studies and we must always be prepared to solve problems that arise because we cannot predict what the results of the experiment will be.”
From this success, this research is one of the research works of Khon Kaen University that will be presented at the 2025 Science and Technology Expo in Malaysia. It also has research articles published internationally in Q1, Scopus + ISI database in the journal called Journal oof Soil Science and Plant Nutriton to serve as a source of further knowledge.
The use of fermented rice husks mixed with microorganisms to nourish the soil and promote plant growth is a research that helps agriculture in every dimension, both in creating innovations from agricultural products, generating income and creating sustainability for Thai farmers, as stated in the 60th anniversary of Khon Kaen University, “60 years of creativity and development for society.”
For farmers or people who are interested in fermenting rice husks with microorganisms to nourish the soil and promote plant growth, you can study more information at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University.
News: Phrompop Woha, cooperative education student, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University.
Revolutionary Breakthrough: KKU's Scientist Turns Agricultural Waste into “Green Gold” for Farmers
https://www.kku.ac.th/18826
