Dr. Theerayut Toojinda, Principal Researcher and Director of Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation on “Contribution and Commitment to Partnership with National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute Award on NAFRI 20th Anniversary”. Dr. Toojinda’s significant contribution and long-standing commitment in the project entitled “The “Community of Practices” Community outreach in Mekong region: Dissemination of new improved Mekong rice varieties to farmers via farmer participatory selection and sustainable farmer seed production” earned him the prestigious recognition. The project, led by Dr. Toojinda and BIOTEC research team, aims to transfer technology on QTL and marker-assisted selection for rice breeding to countries in the Mekong region, including Thailand, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Cambodia, through series of collaborative activities. Long-term human resource development program, graduate school scholarships and development of phenotyping facility for rice breeding were among the many efforts.
Improvement of traditional cultivars, selected by each country, which lack traits that may improve quality and adaptation in the local areas was carried out. Assessment of trait performance through field trials under research farm and farmer’s field conditions was undertaken and yielded successful results. The endeavor was funded by Generation Challenge Program (GCP) and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).Thansano Rice Research and Seed Multiplication Center and NAFRI, the participating institutes from Lao PDR, have successfully improved several rice varieties of economic importance. Aroma and cooking quality of glutinous Thadokkham 1 (TDK1) have been improved. BC2F2 and BC2F3 rice varieties are better adjusted under well-watered and water-stress conditions, apart from improved aroma and cooking quality. Glutinous aromatic BC2F4’s submergence tolerance and blast resistance attributes have been improved. Several other varieties are currently undergoing field trial. Dr. Toojinda was invited by NAFRI to give a talk on “Development of new resilience Laos rice varieties through the research collaboration between NSTDA and NARFRI” on April 25, 2019 at Vientiane, Lao PDR”, an event held as part of the 20th Anniversary of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) and International Seminar on Agriculture and Forestry Research.