A collaborative community initiative with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine introduces eco-friendly pet care solutions aligned with the BCG framework and Sustainable Development Goals.
The Office of Academic Service, in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Khon Kaen University (KKU), successfully launched the community outreach project titled “Production of Herbal Medicines for Animals as Community Products”. Designed to empower local farmers by transferring practical knowledge on manufacturing tick and flea control shampoos and sprays derived from local neem trees, the initiative focuses on reducing household expenditures, ensuring safe pet healthcare, and preparing local communities to develop commercial products under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model.
The training programme was held on 10 July 2026 at the Village Hall of Moo 3, Ban Huai Suea Ten, Nam Phong Sub-district, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen Province. The event brought together local livestock farmers and community members eager to integrate veterinary science into traditional agricultural practices, transforming abundant regional flora into high-value commodities.
Driven by the university’s overarching mission of social devotion, the project featured Assoc. Prof. Jareerat Eamsa-ard, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology and Head of the Pharmacology Laboratory at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, as the principal speaker. Assoc. Prof. Eamsa-ard delivered sessions covering both the theoretical frameworks of animal skin physiology and hands-on production methodologies. The curriculum emphasised creating value from indigenous biological resources while remaining environmentally friendly.
During the practical workshop, participants learned to utilise raw extracts from neem leaves, which contain an active chemical compound called Azadirachtin known to disrupt the growth cycles and sterilise the eggs of external parasites. The training focused on the formulation of two primary products:
- Neem Herbal Shampoo: A solution combining neem leaf extract with mild cleansing agents (Texapon N70) and foaming boosters, allowing farmers to cleanse animal fur and eradicate external parasites in a single application.
- Neem Herbal Spray: A concentrated formulation blended with glycerine to retain moisture, which can be applied directly to animals or sprayed over their bedding areas to terminate infestations at the source.
Mrs. Chalalai Phu-thotham, Senior Educational Officer and Project Leader, said that beyond building community self-reliance, the project aims to develop these formulations into official One Tambon One Product (OTOP) merchandise to generate supplementary income. The strategy relies on readily available local flora, including neem, turmeric, and citronella grass, thereby supporting the “One Health” approach, which recognises the interconnected safety of humans, animals, and the shared environment.
This community engagement initiative directly responds to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically addressing the eradication of poverty (Goal 1: No Poverty) and the enhancement of development networks (Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals), tangibly improving the quality of life for citizens within the target areas.
