On 29 August 2026, the Faculty of Science at Khon Kaen University organised a hands-on workshop entitled “Development of Activated Carbon from Bamboo and Prototype Water Filtration Systems for Community Utilization (Session 1)” at the Sam Sung Sustainable Agriculture Community Enterprise, Huai Toei Sub-district, Sam Sung District, Khon Kaen Province. The workshop aimed to transfer scientific and technological knowledge to local farmers while working with farmers to address water quality, safe vegetable production, and agricultural efficiency issues specific to the local context.
Professor Supree Pinitsoontorn, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, visited the site to monitor the project’s progress and engage with community members. Professor Pinitsoontorn stated that the Faculty of Science is committed to translating laboratory research into tangible community benefits. The workshop offered an open forum for local farmers to share their academic, technological, and scientific needs, enabling the team to co-develop site-appropriate solutions.
Associate Professor Nantawan Ritdirt, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, delivered a lecture on the water cycle, the essential role of water in plant growth, and common groundwater quality issues, such as salinity, hardness, iron rust, hydrogen sulphide odours, microbial contamination, and agricultural chemical runoff. She recommended that farmers test water quality and store water prior to agricultural use to reduce sediment, iron rust, and suspended solids that could otherwise damage crops and farming equipment.
The workshop centred on developing a prototype multi-layer water filtration tank consisting of stone, gravel, sand, iron rust removal media, activated carbon or biochar, hardness-reducing media, and fine filtration layers. Activated carbon serves as a vital component due to its ability to absorb odours, colours, organic matter, and chemical contaminants. The project explores utilising locally sourced bamboo to produce high-value activated carbon tailored for community water filtration systems.
Associate Professor Wiyada Mongkolthanaruk, Ph.D., also from the Department of Microbiology, provided training on local vegetable cultivation, water management, microbial contamination risks, and produce safety. She stressed the importance of monitoring water quality used for irrigation, maintaining clear physical separation between livestock and cultivation areas to prevent cross-contamination, and applying correct water and vegetable sampling techniques for accurate laboratory analysis.
During the practical session, participants worked in groups to learn mushroom tissue culture isolation, mushroom propagation, and microbiological sampling procedures for irrigation water and produce. This enables farmers to determine whether their irrigation water meets hygiene standards prior to crop application or domestic use. Associate Professor Nantawan Ritdirt, Ph.D., Associate Professor Wiyada Mongkolthanaruk, Ph.D., Ms. Penpak Khamkaew, Porntheera Sarin, Ph.D., Ms. Alisa Puangchampa, Ms. Atchariya Chansungnoen, and Ms. Natrudee Pakdeesamai closely supervised the practical training, ensuring that community members could effectively apply the techniques for household and commercial mushroom cultivation.
Associate Professor Sriprajak Krongsuk, Ph.D., also observed local agricultural practices and exchanged insights regarding the application of carbon dioxide in liquid fertiliser form to enhance photosynthesis and plant growth. The initiative plans to test this research in actual field plots to reduce chemical fertiliser use and production costs, particularly for short-harvest household crops, before scaling up to other agricultural products.
This initiative extends beyond teaching activated carbon production and constructing filtration units; it integrates water quality testing, crop management, mushroom cultivation, microbial analysis, market planning, and field-level innovation deployment. The outreach effort reflects Khon Kaen University’s mission to translate scientific research and innovation from the laboratory into practical solutions for society, empowering local communities to achieve sustainable self-reliance.
