The project promotes intercropping with soybeans under water-scarce conditions, aiming to create sustainable income for farmers in the Northeast.
CHAIYAPHUM – On 27 March 2026, the Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, launched the “Technology Transfer Project for Soybean Production with Main Crops Under Water Resource Constraints.” Associate Professor Darunee Jothityangkoon, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, delivered a report on the project’s objectives. Mr. Anan Nakniyom, Governor of Chaiyaphum Province, presided over the opening ceremony, which was held at the agricultural produce drying yard in Ban Tha Khon Daeng, Dong Bang Subdistrict, Khon San District, Chaiyaphum Province.
The project, funded by a research and innovation promotion grant from the National Research Council of Thailand for the 2025 fiscal year, aims to enhance food security and environmental sustainability in Khon Kaen and Chaiyaphum provinces. It focuses on promoting post-rice season soybean cultivation and establishing a community-based seed revolving system, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture and self-reliance among farmers in the Northeast.
Associate Professor Jothityangkoon remarked, “The Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, is delighted to bring knowledge from our research and apply it for the tangible benefit of local farmers. This project marks a significant step in integrating academia, the public sector, and farming communities. We are confident that producing soybeans with main crops under limited water conditions will provide a sustainable solution for farmers in the Northeast, helping to increase their income and effectively mitigate risks during the dry season.”
In his opening address, Mr. Anan Nakniyom, Governor of Chaiyaphum Province, stated, “Chaiyaphum has high agricultural potential, but water resource limitations during the dry season remain a major challenge for our farmers. This collaborative project between Khon Kaen University and the community is an excellent opportunity to provide farmers with an alternative for post-rice farming that uses water efficiently and strengthens community food security in a tangible way. I would like to thank Khon Kaen University for bringing science and innovation to Chaiyaphum, and I am hopeful that this cooperation will continue to expand and flourish sustainably.”
The event featured a series of lectures, knowledge-sharing sessions, and a visit to demonstration plots. Activities included a presentation on “Soybean Production Systems with Main Crops Under Water Resource Constraints for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability,” delivered by Assistant Professor Dr. Sompong Chankaew and his research team. A local agricultural extension specialist also gave a lecture on “The Direction of Soybean Production in Khon San District, Chaiyaphum.” The day concluded with a visit to the demonstration plot of Mr. Chali Pla, a model farmer, to observe the dry-season cultivation of the KKU60 soybean variety after the rice harvest. This allowed participants to gain practical insights and exchange ideas on adapting the technology within their own communities.
