Khon Kaen University has partnered with the Ministry of Industry to tackle Thailand’s PM 2.5 air pollution crisis by launching a model community project that transforms sugarcane waste into valuable products. The initiative aims to reduce the widespread practice of burning sugarcane fields, a major contributor to air pollution, while creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers.
According to 2022 data, over 12 million tons of sugarcane leaves were left unused and burned in fields, releasing harmful pollutants into the air. Recognizing this issue, the government has introduced programs to encourage farmers to repurpose sugarcane leaves and bagasse ash into marketable products, reducing pollution and adding value to agricultural waste.
As part of this effort, the Office of the Cane and Sugar Board, under the Ministry of Industry, collaborated with KKU’s Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Academic Service Office to organize a hands-on training workshop. The workshop, held on January 22, 2025, in Tha Chai Village, Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province, focused on teaching farmers how to develop products from sugarcane waste. The project, titled “Model Community for Adding Value to Waste Materials,” aims to create a sustainable model for other communities to follow.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supasit Konyai, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs at KKU’s Academic Service Office, explained that the project focuses on turning sugarcane leaves and bagasse ash into high-value products, such as high-heat, low-smoke charcoal briquettes. These briquettes were developed through research conducted by KKU. Tha Chai Village was chosen as the pilot community due to its strong resources and community readiness. The project also received support from the Regional Cane and Sugar Industry Promotion Center 2.
The training workshop provided farmers with practical knowledge on converting sugarcane waste into marketable products. Topics included sourcing raw materials, mixing, briquetting, reducing moisture, and packaging. The goal is to equip farmers with the skills needed to meet market demands while reducing the environmental impact of agricultural burning. The project also serves as a blueprint for other communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods and addressing one of the key causes of PM 2.5 pollution.
This initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including promoting economic growth (SDG 8), fostering innovation in industry (SDG 9), combating climate change (SDG 13), and building partnerships across sectors (SDG 17). The success of the model community in Tha Chai is expected to inspire similar projects in other areas, fostering community-level renewable energy economies, reducing environmental and health impacts, and supporting a more sustainable sugarcane industry.
“This project is a prime example of how unused resources can be transformed into valuable products, reducing environmental harm while creating sustainable income for communities,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supasit.
The initiative not only addresses the pressing issue of air pollution but also paves the way for a more sustainable and innovative future for Thailand’s sugarcane industry.
