NAN, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Professor Yodchanan Wongsawat visited the Pharma Agroforestry District (PAD) Center at Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Nan on August 22. The visit aimed to monitor operations for the “Nan Sandbox” project, an initiative that leverages science, research, and innovation to promote sustainable regional development.
The PAD Center was established through collaboration among Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Nan, the KASIKORNTHAI Foundation, and the K Agro-Innovate Institute. It serves as a model for researching and cultivating high-value medicinal plants, especially those suited to growth beneath forest canopies. This approach aims to create economic opportunities for farmers while preserving forestland and restoring watershed ecosystems.
The center is testing over 30 medicinal plant species and advancing knowledge in cultivation, crop care, and production management. Its activities also include processing and value addition throughout the supply chain, supporting the development of standardized, high-value phytopharmaceutical products.
During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister reviewed the center’s progress and listened to proposals and operational challenges from participating agencies. He stressed the importance of applying scientific knowledge, research, and innovation to deliver tangible benefits to communities.
The PAD Center is a key part of the broader Nan Sandbox initiative. It aims to balance human livelihoods with forest conservation, allowing communities to earn income from high-value crops while protecting the region’s upstream natural resources. (NNT)
