BIOTEC has established a Rural Development Technology Service Unit to perform technology assimilation and technology transfer to rural communities in Thailand. The Unit works closely with local communities to undertake technology transfer, demonstration and assimilation, as well as human resource development to improve the standard of living and household earnings for villagers. Following are topics of current focus:

• Food Processing and Good Hygiene Practices (GHPs) – the program performs “Train-the-Trainers” workshops for local colleges and supports the training of housewife cooperatives across the country.
• Agriculture – the following technologies have already been or are being transferred: biofertilizer production, strawberry runners production, wheat cultivation and organic chicken farming

At present, the projects are implemented in three sites in Nan, Loei and Narathiwat provinces and serve as a model for nearby areas.

BIOTEC also runs a program called “Science in Rural Schools” (SiRS), dedicated to youth in the rural areas. SiRS aims to improve the quality of life and enhance learning capability in science for rural students and currently covers 7 provinces; Maehongson, Nan, Chiang Mai, Loei, Sakon Nakorn, Pang-Nga and Narathiwat. SIRs produces educational media such as books, a website and CD-ROM, as well as organizing science camps to stimulate science learning. Hala-Bala National Park in Narathiwat has been developed into an area for research in peat swamp and rain forest, with collaboration from the Royal Forest Department and universities.

To promote science to the general public, BIOTEC Public Awareness Program participates in the annual National Science Fair, generates articles and books on subjects of current interest to the public, and operates a knowledge center website “GURU”. In collaboration with UNESCO and the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, BIOTEC erected a semi-permanent exhibition on “Biotechnology and Ethics” at the Science Center for Education.

Science in Rural School (SiRS)