Appropriate Technology and Local Wisdom in Agricultural Waste Recycling

Background and Rational

The continuing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural production in many underdeveloped and developing countries has resulted in many problems. For one thing, their environments were severely affected giving rise to problems such as water and air pollution, and soil deterioration. Another serious thing is the worsening health problems of the consumers who have been eating the chemical contaminated agricultural products. These problems have entailed high expenditures in the government budget.

Thus, it is a very opportune time to resort to organic agriculture and / or sufficiency agriculture that promotes waste recycling. There are many agricultural wastes when recycled into organic products can replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The expansion of sufficiency agriculture in many communities in Thailand serves as the foundation for sustainable development of the country. 

Maejo University (MJU) is one of most reputable agricultural institutions in Thailand that offer study programmes and deliver research innovations focused towards development that is sustainable, sufficient and environment friendly. Furthermore, Maejo University has established 19 Learning Centers or research achievements by the faculty members that are considered as relevant wisdom. Wastes recycling technology such as the composting agricultural wastes using aerated static pile system has reaped the Thailand Innovation Awards in Society category for the year 2006. More breakthroughs include the earthworm composting of organic garbage as well as biogas production. Maejo University receives at least 30,000 visitors each year that observed these Learning Centers and therefore has the capability of giving training courses in the international level.

Maejo University sees the beneficial effects of disseminating the technical know how on wastes recycling and sufficiency agriculture to developing and underdeveloped countries where development programs are necessary for the progress of the region as well as the preservation of the earth’s natural resources as a whole.

Duration: March 5 – 25, 2013

Closing Date for Applications: December 10, 2012

Number of Participants: 17 persons

Invited Countries : Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, China, CARICOM Member Countries, Egypt, 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

Qualifications

Participants for this course should:

• be nominated by their respective government.
• hold bachelor degree, or non-university degree with at leasr two years demonstrated experiences relevant to the respective topics.
• have good ability in speaking, reading and writing English.
• be between 28-45 years of age;
• 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.

Objecti​ves

The programme is designe​d to:

• Allow participants to expand their knowledge in waste recycling.
• Enable participants to develop their knowledge in using wastes recycling products for sufficiency agriculture.
• Enable participants to share their folk wisdom, culture, belief, tradition, and values.
• Encourage participants to broaden and strengthen social networks of agri-graduates.

Course Content

I. Course Outline

1. Sufficiency Agriculture and new theory

2. Sustainable agriculture
      2.1 Natural and sustainable agriculture 
      2.2 Organic farming 
      2.3 Organic vegetable production 
      2.4 Hydroponics
      2.5 Sustainable Animal production in community

3. Organic composting
      3.1 Aerated Static Pile system composting 
            3.1.1 Agricultural wastes
            3.1.2 Food processing facility wastes 
      3.2 Household food waste composting
      3.3 Earthworm composting of organic garbage
      3.4 Liquid Organic Fertilizer Production from Organic Wastes

4. Biogas production from Pig Manure

5. Solid Wastes Management

6. Country report
      6.1 Preparation 
      6.2 Presentation

7. Course evaluation

II. Practices

Field practices are supportive of the lectures

III. Study Trips/ Field Trips

1. Field trips to important landmarks of Northern Thailand 
2. Field trips to some related learning centers in Maejo University

IV. Advance Assignments

Participants are requested to prepare a country report pertaining to the sustainable agriculture and wastes recycling in their respective countries. The report should contain:

• Introduction
• General information of the country
• Historical background of the subject related to the training course
• Existing laws and regulations concerning the subject ( if any )  
• Existing problem in the applicant’s section
• Future programme / project on related subject

The report should be approximately 10 pages of A4 size paper long. The typed country report should be submitted beforehand to the training organization in duplicate or sent to the e-mail address (See Further Information and Contacts section for details).Each participant will be allocated 10 minutes for presentation of his/her report and a few minutes for comment and discussion.

Institution:

The course will be conducted by:

International Affairs Division,Maejo University 
Sansai, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand 
Asst. Prof.Yongyooth Srigiofun, Ph.D.
Tel.: (66 53) 873188, 873118
Fax: (66 53) 873181       
E-mail: [email protected] 
Website: http://www.mju.ac.th