From the success of the "1 Faculty, 1 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)" project, the work is now being expanded to Tha Champi Subdistrict Administrative Organization. Assistant Professor Dr. Sugunya Suebsan, along with Dr. Kanta Sangwijit, lecturer and researcher from the School of Science, University of Phayao, were invited as guest speakers to share their knowledge with the community. They came to share and demonstrate an innovation called "Leaf Compost Without Grinding Using Microbial Innovation, Combined with Straw Mushroom Cultivation on the Compost Pile" to 40 elderly participants. This was part of the "Elderly School, Tha Champi Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phayao Province" project, which brought together the local municipality, Tha Champi Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, and the Elderly Club.
This composting innovation stands out by using microbial technology to break down leaves naturally, eliminating the need for energy-draining and labor-intensive grinding processes. On top of that, straw mushrooms are grown right on the compost pile, creating a double-yield system where people can either eat the mushrooms at home or sell them for extra income. This approach fits right in with the Circular Economy concept, and it's also a smart way to manage agricultural waste that helps cut down on open burning, one of the major causes of air pollution and PM 2.5 dust.
Everything taught in this training session can actually be done at home, proving once again that the university plays a real role as a source of knowledge and innovation for local communities.
The School of Science, University of Phayao, is truly happy to support its academic service mission and is always ready to team up with local organizations to pass on knowledge, technology, and innovation. All of this is done with the goal of building stronger communities and improving the quality of life for everyone now and in the future.