On Monday, July 14, 2025, Associate Professor Dr. Rapeephun Dangtungee, Dean of the International College at Maejo University, presided over the launch of a collaborative project testing the use of biodegradable mulch film technology for sustainable organic rice farming. Dr. Prakash Murgeppa Bhuyar, Assistant Dean of the International College, presented the project report. Faculty members from the Faculty of Agricultural Production, the International College, the Director of the Quality and Standards Inspection Institute, and students participated in the testing at the demonstration rice fields of the Faculty of Agricultural Production, Maejo University, Chiang Mai.

This testing project builds on previous research collaboration between the Rice Department, Dahe Technology Development (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., and Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, People’s Republic of China, initiated in February 2025 under the project titled “Use of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Biodegradable Film Mulch for Environmentally Friendly Rice Production in Thailand.” The PLA biodegradable film, made from agricultural waste materials, has been shown in China to reduce weed control costs by more than 1,500 yuan per hectare, improve nitrogen fertilizer efficiency by 18%, reduce methane gas emissions by 30%, increase rice yield by 5–15%, and cause no environmental harm.

Maejo University, through the International College’s Agricultural Organic Management and Agricultural Product Innovation program, in collaboration with the Faculty of Agricultural Production, recognizes the potential of using biodegradable mulch film for organic rice cultivation. The university has signed a cooperation agreement with Dahe Technology Development (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., China, to test this biodegradable mulch film technology in rice fields in Chiang Mai Province. The project aims to offer an alternative to assist Thai rice farmers, especially in producing high-quality organic rice.

Associate Professor Dr. Rapeephun Dangtungee, Dean of the International College and Chair of the Agricultural Organic Management and Agricultural Product Innovation program at Maejo University, said, “This collaboration reflects Maejo University’s commitment to developing innovations in organic agricultural management through international cooperation in research and technology transfer. The PLA mulch film testing project will last approximately four months (July to November). We hope it will help control weeds, which are a major challenge in organic farming, increase organic rice yields, reduce production costs, and decrease methane emissions. The project anticipates that applying biodegradable mulch film technology in organic rice cultivation in Thailand will sustainably and effectively support the agricultural sector while being environmentally friendly.”