News

  Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn observed the operational progress of the establishment of "Nawat Agricultural Learning Center, Chitralada Technology Institute (CDTI)" at Pa Yup Sub-district in Wang Chan District, Rayong Province.  Mr. Chan Na Iamsang, 

  Governor of Rayong, Mr. Pailin Chuchottaworn, Chairman of the Council of the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Techonology, Mr. Auttapol Rerkpiboon, President and Chief Executive Officer, PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), along with government officials, executives, PTT Group employees were granted an audience with H.R.H. Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and reported the progress of the project. 

   Mr. Auttapol said, “Nawat Agricultural Learning Center, Chitralada Technology Institute located in a bestowed 154- rai- area from PTT on August 5, 2015. Subsequently, in 2018, the Princess had the initiatives to build a learning center to disseminate knowledge of modern agriculture to students and those who are interested.  PTT along with the Land Development Department, Royal Irrigation Department, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rubber Authority of Thailand have thus collaboratively undertaken the project according to the master plan since the year 2018 until the present. 

  To date, with regards to construction work - building and utilities construction, architectural work, system testing and excavation of the second pond on an area of 9.63 rai - is expected to be completed by January. In addition, 20.45 rai has been developed as an Eco- Forest according to Miyawaki theory. Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University has provided advice on the selection of wood species and academic planting. On this area, more than 20,000 forest seedlings of 79 types of trees for 3 levels of forest have already been planted. As for the development of fruit plots on a total area of 40 rai, the planting of Mali-Ong cultivated bananas (Kluay Nam Wah) and Hom Thong bananas as nurse plants covering an area of 35 rai is completed. These include royally granted Golden Nam Dok Mai mango variety with jackfruit plots; mangosteen plots; mixed fruit plots (mango and longkong); rambutan plots; commercial durian varieties plots; Robusta Coffee plots between the rows of rubber trees; and plots of Robusta coffee and Arabica coffee between the cashew tree rows. Meanwhile, the planting of conserved durian plots, the varieties that can be planted together with fruit trees and herbs is underway.  

   With respect to the development of the fruit plantation area, PTT has received cooperation from both the government and private sectors. Namely, the support of raw water sources for agriculture is from Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (ORDPB) and the Royal Irrigation Department, while soil development and improvement work is carried out by the Department of Land Development. Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture assisted in growing fruits of economic importance for the east, herbs and coffee. At the same time, the agricultural knowledge is disseminated to communities and youth around the area by the Department of Agricultural Extension, while the equipment for rubber management is provided by the Rubber Authority of Thailand. Teaching support of Nawat Agricultural courses is offered from NSTDA and Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Lastly, the construction of solar floating system to supply power to water pumps is carried out by Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited. 

  PTT also joined forces with National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to support the agricultural activities that apply technology into the production system to increase the efficiency of production of quality agricultural products and safe food to be transferred to the communities and general public. They are ready to support the teaching and learning of the Agricultural Sciences of Chitralada Vocational School, CDTI that can be achieved through a study at “a model greenhouse" in Wang Chan Forest Learning Center. Nawat Agricultural Learning is a modern agricultural learning program which focuses on the integration of information technology, biotechnology and modern agricultural technology with traditional agriculture to increase production efficiency to produce quality products that meet international standards. It is aspired to be an important tool to help solve the problems of modern Thai farmers for better livelihood. 

  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khun Ying Sumontha Promboon, President of Chitralada Technology Institute added "After PTT had presented the estate to Her Royal Highness, the Princess then suggested CDTI that `Nawat Agricultural Learning Center of CDTI" is required to teach innovative agriculture adopting modern agricultural technology to help farmers increase efficiency in the production process. The learning center will be used as a model for farmers and those interested in Rayong province to learn and further practice at their own lands.” 

   On this occasion, Her Royal Highness presided over the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the cooperation between the parties: Chitralada Institute of Technology (CDTI), Siam Kubota Corporation Company Limited and PTT Public Company Limited (PTT). Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khunying Sumonta Promboon, President of CDTI, Mr. Takanobu Azuma, President of Siam Kubota Corporation Company Limited and Mr. Auttapol Rerkpiboon, President and Chief Executive Officer, PTT along with government officials, PTT Group executives and employees were granted an audience. The objective of the cooperation under the MOU is to support the operation of the Nawat Learning Center, CDTI. It aims to promote and enhance the potential of education and to collaborate in the joint research to develop agricultural innovation. It is also a starting point for Nawat Agricultural Learning Center of CDTI for the exchange of information and knowledge among three parties in regards to modern agricultural innovations that will benefit farmers and communities.