KKU Organizes “Rice Field Day” Showcasing New Glutinous Rice Varieties KKU 60-1 and KKU 60-2 to Drive Sustainable Organic Farming in Local Communities

On October 16, 2025, Khon Kaen University organized the event “Rice Field Day: Organic Seed Production of New Glutinous Rice Varieties KKU 60-1 and KKU 60-2” at the Na Phu Organic Agriculture Community Enterprise Center, Nong Hang Subdistrict, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province. The event aimed to disseminate the success of KKU’s agricultural research and promote organic glutinous rice production at the community level.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Dr. Thidarat Boonmars, Vice President for Enterprise and Sustainable Social Development, Khon Kaen University, who delivered the opening remarks. Ms. Chananat Sakulsombat, Kalasin Provincial Agricultural and Cooperative Officer, gave the welcome speech to participating farmers and guests.

The project is led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Jirawat Sanitjan, lecturer and researcher in plant breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, under the project “Promotion of Commercial Production and Seed Security of Glutinous Rice KKU 60”. The initiative is supported by the KKU Enterprise and Community-Social Development Promotion Fund for Fiscal Year 2024, aiming to strengthen community enterprises and advance sustainable agricultural practices.

Through more than eight years of participatory research with local communities, the research team developed two new glutinous rice varieties — KKU 60-1 (a non-photoperiod-sensitive glutinous rice variety resistant to blast disease and bacterial leaf blight) and KKU 60-2 (a photoperiod-sensitive variety resistant to blast disease and tolerant to saline soils). Both varieties demonstrate high yields, strong stalks, and resistance to lodging, making them suitable for cultivation in the northeastern region of Thailand.

Beyond varietal development, the project has encouraged community-based collaboration in producing biofertilizers, sharing agricultural machinery and equipment, and implementing a system to verify and monitor organic rice fields. These efforts have contributed to maintaining quality standards, reducing production costs, and fostering long-term sustainability within local farming communities.

The Rice Field Day event not only showcased agricultural innovation but also served as a platform for collaboration among academia, government agencies, and local farmers. Together, they aim to enhance and expand the cultivation of glutinous rice varieties tailored to the needs of the northeastern region. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) — reinforcing Khon Kaen University’s commitment to driving sustainable community development through research and innovation.

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