Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control that has gained widespread popularity around the world. It is an alternative for farmers to control pests that is safe and friendly to the environment in long-term effects. Recognizing the role of natural enemies of pest insects,BIOTEC research team works on developing effective biocontrol agents. An effective strain of Beauveria bassiana has been uncovered and simple and optimal methods have been developed for both inoculum production and on-farm spore production.
To share technology and technology transfer model with neighboring countries like Laos, BIOTEC organized a study visit for representatives from Biotechnology and Ecology Institute (BEI) on 7 – 11 September 2015. In addition to meeting with BIOTEC research team, BEI representatives also met with the team at Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi and farmer group in Ayutthaya Province, both of which have acquired the technology from BIOTEC. According to the set model, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi will produce Beauveria inoculum to distribute to farmers and the farmer group has set up a moderate facility to mass produce Beauveria from the inoculum to supply to its members.
This activity is a part of the Thailand-Laos Cooperation on Science and Technology, an MOU of which was executed in November 2014 by Ministers of Science and Technology of Thailand and Laos.