Chiang Mai University recognizes the vital role of agriculture and food as the foundation of Thai society. In support of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), the university provides access to university facilities, including research fields, laboratories, technology, and plant stocks, for local farmers and food producers, and is also open to interested members of the general public. This access serves not only as a channel for transferring knowledge and technology from the university to the community, but also as a learning resource that helps farmers adopt sustainable farming practices. Ultimately, it aims to enhance agricultural capacity and foster long-term development and sustainability.
The Mae Hia Agricultural Research and Innovation Integration Center (MARIIC), Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, brings together three research centers (the Mae Hia Agricultural Research, Demonstration and Training Center, the Agricultural Resource Systems Research Center, and the High-Altitude Research and Training Center) as a learning resource and academic service hub under the vision “Smart Agriculture for Better Life.” Through MARIIC, local farmers and food producers gain access to university facilities, technology, and plant stocks. These include safe-vegetable production plots, an organic fertilizer and growing-media plant that uses digestate from biogas production, and smart farm systems with IoT sensors and weather stations, located at the Mae Hia research center and three high-altitude agricultural stations in Chiang Mai. The High-Altitude Research and Training Center transfers research results and knowledge to students, farmers, and interested persons, and provides advice and services on coffee seeds and seedlings (plant stocks), Green & Clean standard certification, coffee cupping, and training to support sustainable farming practices.
In summary, Chiang Mai University provides access to university facilities, technology, and plant stocks for local farmers and food producers through the Mae Hia Agricultural Research and Innovation Integration Center. This access covers research and production facilities, smart farm technology, coffee seedlings, Green & Clean standard certification, and training, and it is available to farmers and interested members of the public. By connecting university labs, technology, and plant stocks with the community, the university helps local farmers and food producers improve sustainable farming practices and strengthen food safety, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
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