ADVANCING GLOBAL FOOD SAFETY
AIT Research Theme: Food-Energy-Water
AIT Unit: FEBT-FINH/DFAB/SERD
Project Duration: 2023
Project Partners: The Global Harmonization Initiative
Description:
Anil Kumar Anal, Professor of Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, has been elected as the Co-Chair of the Working Group on “Ethics in Food Safety Practices” within the Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI).
AIT is proud to have him as a member of our faculty, and is confident that his expertise will play a pivotal role in promoting food safety and harmonization.
The GHI serves as a network comprising individual scientists and scientific organizations, working together to promote the harmonization of global food safety regulations and legislation through scientific consensus, education, and advocacy.
Developing relevant and enforceable food safety policies and regulations is an essential component ofan effective food safety system. Ethics of collective decisions addressing societal issues, such as public health management through food safety control, involve stakeholders with different perspectives of the system, different expectations from the research, and potential conflicts of interest.
TRAINING CUM EXPOSURE VISIT ON APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
AIT Research Theme: Smart communities
AIT Unit: SERD/AARM
Project Duration: 15 October 2022 to 31 December 2023
Project Sponsors/Clients: AITCV, Vietnam
Project Partners: AITCV, Vietnam
Expected Social Impact:
The project will introduce the unique agri-aqua cultivation practices in Thailand to Vietnamese officers, which will enhance their capacity to adopt and disseminate more intensive and eco-friendly production practices in Vietnam. This will also strengthen our engagement with AIT Centre Vietnam.
Description:
AIT will facilitate the visit and training for government officers from the Cao Mau Province of Vietnam to Thailand in the first week of November 2022
AGRO-METEOROLOGICAL FORECASTS AND ADVISORIES THROUGH MOBILE APPLICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE IN THAILAND AND VIETNAM-AFAS
AIT Research Theme: Technology, Policy and Society
AIT Unit: SERD/ASE
Project Duration: 5 January 2024 to 4 January 2027
Project Sponsors/Clients: Asian Development Bank (through Landell Mills Ltd.)
Project Partners: -
Expected Social Impact:
The research project will develop a multi-stakeholder platform involving smallholder farmers, regional development partners, relevant government agencies, and policymakers to enhance cooperation and coordinated development for sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation in the GMS region. This will bridge gaps between science and society for climate-adaptive and sustainable food production in the face of increasing climate change impact and pressure on the region’s food production systems. To ensure meaningful collaboration and participation of stakeholders, we implement iterative interactions and capacity-building workshops with different target groups.
Description:
The main objective of this project is to deploy the Agrometeorological Forecast and Advisory System (AFAS) in Thailand and Vietnam, to provide small-holder farmers with much-needed agro-meteorological forecast and agronomic advice, ultimately enabling them to implement climate-smart agricultural practices.
AIT UNVEILS CUTTING-EDGE SMART GREENHOUSE,
REVOLUTIONIZING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE WITH IOT AND AI TECHNOLOGIES
On 29 November 2023, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) made a significant stride in sustainable farming by inaugurating a cutting-edge Smart Greenhouse under the Department of Food, Agriculture, and Bioresources (FAB) at the School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD). President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto led the inauguration of this 10 m × 20 m facility, which was developed under the supervision of Dr. Sushil Kumar Himanshu from the Agricultural Systems and Engineering Academic Program.
The Smart Greenhouse represents a leap forward in integrating technology with agriculture, utilizing advanced Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to revolutionize cultivation practices. This innovative facility enables precise control over environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and ventilation, ensuring an optimal growth environment for various crops.
Key features include a sophisticated climate control system that employs EVAP cooling, ventilation, farm fans, and fogging systems to create an ideal microclimate. Additionally, automated shading systems enhance sunlight management, while the facility’s mobile app allows remote monitoring and control, empowering growers with valuable data on environmental conditions, soil health, and plant phenomics.
The greenhouse is segmented into four distinct zones, each equipped with specialized sensors for soil moisture, pH, NPK, and EC levels. This zonal division promotes efficient resource utilization and allows for tailored growing conditions. The automated drip irrigation system minimizes water wastage by delivering water precisely according to each plant’s needs, while the controlled fertigation system optimizes nutrient delivery by continuously monitoring EC, flow rate, and pH levels.
AIT’s Smart Greenhouse exemplifies its commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting sustainable agriculture through technological innovation. For more information, please visit the Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) program on AIT’s official website.drip irrigation systems minimize water wastage by delivering water precisely based on the specific needs of each plant.
For additional details about the Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) program, please visit the official website: Agricultural Systems and Engineering at AIT
AIT SIGNS MOA WITH PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITIES FOR RESEARCH AND CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS ON HEALTHY FOOD SECURITY
24 March 2023 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with a consortium comprising three universities in the Philippines, namely the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), and the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) on March 24, 2023.
The MoA includes implementing the CHED-approved research program titled, “Advancing Ilocos Indigenous Food Systems Through Academia-Industry Collaborative Research and Innovations Toward Healthy Food Security.” As part of the agreement, the consortium and AIT, with the support and coordination of MMSU, have committed to conducting capacity-building activities that will enhance the Science, Technology, and Innovation Capacity for Probiotic Food Systems Program.
Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, AIT President, stated that this collaboration comes at the right time as AIT plans to expand partnerships in the region. He believes this partnership is not just a simple agreement, but a powerful source that brings diverse minds and ideas together. He looks forward to a fruitful collaboration.
Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, President of MMSU, expressed her gratitude and stated that this collaboration would lead to a strong partnership with AIT for capacity building. They aim to develop the human capital of the Philippines that is locally responsive and locally competitive.
The event was also attended by ISPSC President Dr. Gilbert R. Arce, and DMMMSU President Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, JR. The event was also attended by several officials and representatives from the universities involved in the training program at AIT under this MoA.
Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao, Director for Science and Technology, and Ms. Arlene L. Gonzales, Associate Professor and Chief of International Program, represented MMSU, while Dr. Angelina T. Gonzales, Vice President for Research, attended the meeting from DMMMSU.
Read more: https://ait.ac.th/2023/03/ait-signs-moawith-philippine-universities-for-research-and-programon-probiotic-food-systems/
REVOLUTIONIZING RICE PRODUCTION IN ASEAN THROUGH REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
24 March 2023 – In a groundbreaking initiative that promises to reshape the future of rice production in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been awarded a USD 300,000 grant by The Rockefeller Foundation (RF) for implementing an ambitious project, “Regenerative Agriculture in ASEAN: Promoting Nature-Positive Solutions for Rice Production” (REGA-ASEAN).
(Project implementation team: Prof. Avishek Datta, Dr. Farhad Zulfiqar, and Dr. Sushil Kumar Himanshu) With rice being a cornerstone of the region’s economy and food security, the urgency to address the challenges posed by climate change and conventional farming practices has never been greater. The REGA-ASEAN project seeks to revolutionize rice production systems by introducing
regenerative agriculture principles in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand. The empirical evidence generated through this project will be the cornerstone of this revolution.
Read more: https://ait.ac.th/2023/11/revolutionizingrice-production-in-asean-through-regenerativeagriculture/