Tasks in Research, Education, and International Collaboration in Agriculture Biotechnology at Kasetsart University With Special Emphasis on the Role of Former Students Who Studied Abroad

Abstract

Thailand is considered as one of the food producing countries of the world. For centuries, Thailand has a large number of skilled farmers engaged in food production. With the increasing demand for agricultural products for export, animal and crop production systems are moving toward high inputs for higher yields. High cost of agricultural production results in less income for farmers and creates an unhealthy environment. Biotechnology offers a challenge to sustainable bioagriculture production and friendly environment. Some of the key features for biotechnological products are the less use of chemical pesticides, crop varieties that fit the unfavorable environment and crop quality that meets the market needs. Innovation in biotechnology requires a starting point, mainly the university where technology transfer and diffusion can be made available for farmers, general public or industry. This is the case for Thailand where Kasetsart University plays a major role in bioagriculture production. The development of biotechnology at Kasetsart University was very much in line with the close collaboration between Kasetsart University and the Japanese Government under KU-JICA project since 1980. As a result, the Central Laboratory and Greenhouse Complex (CLGC) was established at Kamphaengsaen Campus. The CLGC is one of the most modernized centers in the region that houses research facilities and well-trained researchers particularly in the area of agriculture biotechnology. In 1985, the Plant Genetic Engineering Unit (PGEU) was established within the CLGC through the collaborative arrangement between Kasetsart University and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) of Thailand. This unit focuses on the development of crop varieties for insect and disease resistance by genetic transformation. In 1999 and for the first time, the College of Agriculture offered an undergraduate degree program in Agriculture Biotechnology. During the same period, the Agriculture Biotechnology Center (ABC), Kasetsart University, was established to offer the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Agriculture Biotechnology by forming a consortium with four local universities. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) financially supported the program. From the brief history of human resource development on agriculture biotechnology at Kasetsart University, it is well recognized that international collaboration is essential to success. However, the application aspect of the technology must come from high quality basic research and contribution of well-trained researchers. The outputs of KU-Nagoya collaboration during the past several years have clearly demonstrated the importance of this partnership. International collaboration needs to be strengthened in the future since research institutions like universities will have to attract a group of young, highly qualified scientists to tackle some common issues such as intellectual property rights, biosafety and bioethics. Commercialization of bioagriculture products will be placed under international rules and regulations, which, in many cases, are being used as trade barriers. These tasks are so critical and vital to future development in the area of agriculture biotechnology which can be achieved by close collaboration at national and international levels.