On 7 August 2025, the Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with the Khon Kaen University Demonstration School Kindergarten Division, organized the event “Creative Rice Transplanting: Cultivating Dreams of the Next Generation of Farmers” at the paddy field within the Agricultural Technology Park, KKU. The activity provided young students with the opportunity to learn and experience real rice farming up close.
A total of 573 Kindergarten 1 and 2 students from 14 classes participated, accompanied by teachers, teaching assistants, parents, as well as students from the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Education, who joined in supporting and engaging with the children. The event was honored by the presence of Assoc. Prof. Khundej Suriharn, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Administration, Faculty of Agriculture, and Asst. Prof. Sarawut Jakpeng, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Demonstration School, Acting Director of Khon Kaen University Demonstration School, who presided over the opening ceremony and emphasized the importance of instilling an appreciation for agricultural traditions and learning through real-life experiences.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sarawut explained that the activity focused on developing children’s soft skills – fundamental social abilities such as interaction with others, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Unlike hard skills, these cannot be precisely measured, but are crucial for both work and daily life. The rice transplanting experience also encouraged children to value the farming profession, learning directly from the “living classroom” of the rice field, with soil, water, and seedlings. Following the school’s concept of “Plant on Mother’s Day, Harvest on Father’s Day”, the activity helped students appreciate the value of every grain of rice and develop essential life skills for the future.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khundej noted that the demonstration used the “KKU 60-1” glutinous rice variety, developed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Jirawat Sanitjan, a rice breeder in the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture. This variety is characterized by a short growth cycle, non-photoperiod sensitivity, and strong resistance to blast disease and bacterial leaf blight. He expressed the Faculty’s commitment to opening the paddy field for student learning every year, supporting natural classrooms where children can gain life skills and appreciate the agricultural heritage that forms the roots of Thai society.
Parent representative Mr. Natthawut Srijinda remarked, “This rice transplanting activity was a wonderful experience for the children. They learned in a real farming environment, planted rice themselves, and built closer relationships with parents, teachers, and school administrators. The Demonstration School always provides excellent activities to develop children’s skills.”
Beyond being an enjoyable and hands-on experience, “Creative Rice Transplanting: Cultivating Dreams of the Next Generation of Farmers” also nurtured a love for farming, preserved Thai agricultural wisdom, and promoted valuable learning beyond the classroom.
