Khon Kaen University Introduces Biochar Innovation to Sam Sung Farmers

 

 

KHON KAEN – The Faculty of Science at Khon Kaen University has launched a new initiative to enhance sustainable agriculture in the Sam Sung district by introducing farmers to an innovative “microbe-infused biochar” technology.

On 27 April, the university, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the regional Science Park, held a workshop titled “Utilising Biochar with Microorganisms for Sustainable Agriculture.” The event took place at the Sam Sung Sustainable Agriculture Community Enterprise in the Huai Toei sub-district.

A total of 38 farmers from five local networks attended the training, which aimed to promote the conservation and effective use of local resources.

Jongrak Hadphakdee, the Sam Sung District Agricultural Officer, welcomed the university’s team and emphasised the importance of adopting new technologies. “Today’s learning marks a shift from old methods to advanced technology,” he told the participants. “You will receive the essence of knowledge that normally takes students four years to learn, all condensed into a few hours, to help reduce community waste and sustainably increase organic matter in the soil.”

Associate Professor Dr. Nantawan RittidetRittidet from the Faculty of Science’s Microbiology department led the workshop. She and her research team addressed common agricultural problems in the area, such as hardened and saline soil resulting from prolonged chemical use. They introduced microbial fertilisers that help decompose plant residues into natural nutrients.

The team built upon the community enterprise’s existing capacity for producing bamboo charcoal. By adding a specific formula of laboratory-cultured microorganisms, they demonstrated how to upgrade standard charcoal into a premium product that can suppress plant diseases.

Researchers explained that biochar’s porous structure acts as a “home for microbes,” enabling it to retain water, improve soil conditions, and sequester carbon, which helps mitigate global warming.

A key focus was the “hero microbe,” Trichoderma, which not only controls root rot but also produces auxin, a root-stimulating hormone. This allows plants to absorb nitrogen and phosphate naturally, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers. The team also demonstrated a low-cost technique for multiplying the microbes in a 5% molasses solution.

 

The event concluded with a practical demonstration led by Suchart Manasri, chairman of the Sam Sung Sustainable Agriculture Community Enterprise. He showed participants the group’s biochar kiln, which uses a high-heat pyrolysis process. This allowed farmers to understand the entire production chain, from raw material to the effective application of high-quality biochar for soil improvement.

The initiative serves as a bridge, transferring green technology from the university to local farms. It aims to help the community recognize the value of its resources and use innovation to create sustainable livelihoods and protect the environment.

 

 
 
 
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