The delegations from the USDA, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, led by Ms. Kelly Stange, Agricultural Counselor for Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, visited National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) for collaboration discussions in agriculture and tour facilities. The delegation was welcomed by Dr. Kobkul Laoteng, Acting Deputy Director (R&D), and Dr. Phairoj Khaosittiwong, Acting Deputy Director (Management).
Dr. Orawan Chatchawankanphanich, Director of the Integrative Crop Biotechnology and Management Research Group, shared highlights of BIOTEC’s plant research activities. These efforts encompass customer-focused crop breeding through marker-assisted selection (MAS) integrated with omics technology, as well as plant production within controlled environments, such as plant factories, where parameters can be precisely regulated. This approach enables a detailed understanding of factors influencing plant physiology and productivity, allowing for optimized cultivation tailored to specific crop requirements.
Additionally, the program emphasizes the large-scale propagation of economically important crops, including oil palm, coconut, and cassava.
