Suan Dusit University (SDU) is committed to advancing its vision of becoming a “University for a Learning and Sustainable Society”, particularly through promoting food security and sustainable agriculture. In 2024, SDU organized a series of initiatives that provided learning platforms for local farmers and food producers to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and co-create innovations with academics and students. These activities aimed to strengthen community-based learning and develop sustainable local economies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
“Khok Kho Thao Community Market”: A Learning Hub for Farmers
One of the key initiatives in 2024 was the “Khok Kho Thao Community Market Project”, jointly organized by SDU Suphan Buri Campus, Wat Khok Kho Thao, and the Khok Kho Thao Subdistrict Administrative Organization. Under the theme “Community Market: Agricultural, Cultural, and Local Way of Life,” the event featured more than 33 local vendors showcasing safe agricultural products and traditional foods. The program also included knowledge-sharing sessions on community market management, value-added agricultural production, and sustainable local economy development. The market thus served not only as a trading venue but also as an open classroom where farmers learned and exchanged experiences directly with one another.
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Learn more: https://www.dusit.ac.th/home/2024/1303067.html
“From Farm to Table”: Integrating Safe Agriculture into the University Food System
Another outstanding initiative demonstrating effective collaboration between academia and agriculture was the “From Farm to Table” project. Organized by SDU’s Office of Special Affairs in partnership with Hom Khajorn Farm and local farmer networks in Suphan Buri Province, the project promoted chemical-free production based on GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards. The program enabled farmers to engage in hands-on learning, field visits, and peer knowledge exchanges with model farmers such as Ms. Aree Kungthong, whose organic banana plantation supplies safe produce for SDU’s Lunch Project 1 and Suan Dusit Place Hotel. This initiative exemplified a closed-loop sustainable food system connecting farms directly to the university’s kitchens.
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Learn more: https://www.dusit.ac.th/home/2024/1393980.html
Outcomes and Impacts of Collaborative Learning
Both initiatives were free of charge for farmers and resulted in new and practical knowledge-sharing networks among farmers, academics, and local food producers. Key outcomes included:
1. Enhanced agricultural knowledge and skills in production, marketing, and product management.
2. Strengthened university–community collaboration networks for sustainable agricultural development.
3. Integration of safe agricultural products into SDU’s food system, supporting sustainable consumption.
All project evidence and reports are publicly available through SDU’s official website, ensuring transparency and accessibility. These initiatives highlight Suan Dusit University’s role not only as a center of academic learning but also as a “growth platform for Thai farmers,” fostering knowledge, collaboration, and sustainability in the national food system.