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NIA seeking to add value to crops by supporting bio-refinery industry

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has united with the Petroleum and Petrochemical College of Chulalongkorn University in an effort to find ways to advance the bio-refinery industry with a focus on sugar cane, tapioca and oil palm.

NIA member Suphap Ajchariyasripong, explained today that the bio-refinery business is based on processing agricultural materials and farm waste using micro-organisms, bacteria, yeast and enzymes to create value-added products such as fuel, bio-chemicals, animal feed and bio-pharmaceuticals. He remarked that with serious support, the industry could boost growth in the agricultural sector and pointed out bio-refineries can bolster economic crops such as sugar, tapioca and palm oil. He recommended setting up an industrial estate bringing together different sectors or a major public-private investment to make Thailand a leader in the industry in the region. If successful, Suphap projects the value of the three crops would increase 10 fold.

Deputy Director for Innovations at NIA, Krichpaka Boonfuang echoed the sentiment that bio-refineries would add value to agricultural products and pointed out that the scheme also satisfies government policy seeking a more quality based approach to farming.

Information and Source
Reporter : Itiporn  Lakarnchua
Rewriter : Tarin Angskul
National News Bureau & Public Relations


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