Research News

Under the integrated sub-district economic and social upgrading project (one sub-district, one university), Asst. Prof. Dr. Rungrawee Jitpakdee and Asst. Prof. Dr. Onanong Cheablam have driven development in Chalong Subdistrict, Chalong subdistrict. Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. With a commitment to promoting sustainable development through poverty reduction, the project has set its objectives as follows: 
      1. To upgrade product design for community products, agricultural products, and processed agricultural products. 
      2. To increase the development potential of the agricultural area for agricultural tourism to be effective.
       3. To increase the potential of local guides.

A large number of knowledge and innovations used for developing the community have been transmitted, including 
(1) extending the food life of Khao Lam production to be able to store for a long time, 
(2) developing of Thong Muan dessert,
(3) using chemical dyes in tie-dye fabrics,
(4) promoting online marketing,
(5) developing agro-tourism,
(6) promoting using fertilizer from animal manure, and
(7) making durian out of season.

In the development process, there were diverse groups of participants, including (1) farmers' groups, (2) housewives' groups, (3) community enterprise groups, and groups of youth guides. 

Driving the project in Chalong sub-district led to the development of various careers for different groups of people. It is not only the function of the university to provide academic services to the community but also a means to reduce poverty leading to sustainable development.