Background Information and Rational for the Programme

Local peoples in all Asian countries possess richly diversified food resources.  These are not well understood outside of their communities, or by national agricultural and health care agencies. However, these traditional foods form a staple part of the diet and have much potential to be utilized beyond their local regions. Traditional and indigenous food are often gentler on the environment and gathered and utilized in a sustainable way.

As rural areas develop, the traditional diet of fish, wildlife, farmed animals and crops can decrease and local people often have increasing amounts of industrial processed foods in their diet. Poor micronutrient intake can be a consequence, combined with increasing obesity and other chronic diseases associated with high caloric intake in the form of simple carbohydrate and fat.

To  date, a few micronutrient promotion strategies using local food resources have proved to be successful. But further study into the foods of local peoples, with a view to develop nutrition promotion tools for use in these communities is needed. Also of need is further study into food species, harvest techniques, food storage and preparation practices. Many of these foods have potential for commercial production development.   Thailand has various indigenous food nationwide that can demonstrate more diversification food. Furthermore, Thailand has developed and implemented indigenous food from local consumption until commercial level to provide for city people.

Duration: September 3-28, 2012

Closing Date for Application: June 30, 2012

Number of Participants    20 persons

Invited Countries: 

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, China, CARICOMMember Countries, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, FEALAC Member Countries, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, OAS Member Countries, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, PIF Member Countries (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Cook Island, Solomon Island, Marshall Island, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu), Republic of Seychelles, Senegal, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Vietnam, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Thailand

Objectives

The program is designed to :

• Provide the academic acknowledge on indigenous food leading food security
• Provide the opportunity for participants to gain new knowledge and experience from Thai on indigenous food and food security
• Take the participants visit and study on indigenous food farming system and indigenous food processing leading to gain more income and increase food security
• Stimulate participants share experience on the utilizing indigenous food
• Raise awareness of the value and potential of underutilized indigenous food resources, highlight the diversity of foods, cultural practices and health nutritional value.

Qualifications

Applicants for this course should :

• be nominated by their respective government;
• be university graduated or have an  equivalent academic background in agriculture (plant science, agronomy, horticulture, agricultural extension) or related fields;
• at least 5 years experience on agriculture, extension, rural development, management researcher;
• be under forty-five (45) years of age;
• have a sufficient command of spoken and written English;
• be in good health both physically and mentally, each participant should have a health certificate provided by an authorized physician. This form is also attached together with the Nomination Form. Pregnancy is regarded as a disqualifying condition for participation in the course

Course Contents

The main components of the programme are :

I.      Formal Lectures   

Module 1  Introduction of indigenous food and food security

Basic framework of indigenous food for food security will be demonstrated,  includingidentify potential risks to food security and systems approaches to agriculture for food security

     Module 2   Collected wild indigenous plants and animals

The course will provide the knowledge on how to collect the indigenous plants and animals from uncultivated land and forest (e.g. leafy plants, roots, berries, small rodents, and insects) and from aquatic environments (e.g. fish, frogs and snails). The methods of friendly environment issue and suitable for each activity will be raised.

    Module 3    Farmed indigenous plants and animals

The training course will cover a gardening of indigenous plant species and culture of indigenous fish species in rice field.  Similarly, how to cultivate as other agricultural issues will be presented and learnt in the community.

   Module 4    Traditional processing technologies/techniques:

The training will demonstrate a wide range of household level, small-scale and semi-industrial processing technologies applied to improve food properties such as fermentation, soaking, germination, drying, smoking to enhance nutritional value. 

   Module 5    Adding value to the indigenous and underutilized foods

    The course will provide the knowledge and experience of indigenous food and underutilize food. These foods will be find out potential to marketing and commercialization

Module 6.   Discussion and Evaluation

II.  Practical Exercises

      Every module consist of lecture and practicum work

III. Study Trips / Field Trips

      One week field trip will be provided. Participants will visit the research institutes, private business farms, the Royal project in the Norhteast region of Thailand.

IV. Reading Assignment

The basic knowledge on  indigenous food and food security, sufficient economy, new theory of agriculture

Institution:

The course will be conducted by:

The Office of International Agriculture (OIA), Faculty of Agriculture 
Khon Kaen University, 
Tel.: (66 43) 203435
Fax: (66 43) 203435
Course Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Yupa Hanboonsong (Director)
Mobile Phone: (66 85) 0060084, (66 85) 0087300
E-mail : [email protected]

Asst. Krailert Taweekul (Deputy Director)
Mobile phone : (66 81) 7397044 
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://agserver.kku.ac.th/interag/index.html

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