Chiang Mai University BCG Platform:

Driving Sustainable Land and Agricultural Management through Education and Community Outreach

      Chiang Mai University (CMU) has established the CMU BCG Platform @ Mae Hia as a key institutional mechanism to drive the national Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model—an inclusive economic framework that balances economic growth with sustainable management of natural resources. The model integrates three interconnected dimensions: Bioeconomy, Circular Economy, and Green Economy, promoting innovation-led and environmentally responsible development.

    The Mae Hia Campus serves as an open learning and demonstration hub where CMU utilizes its rich academic resources, cross-disciplinary expertise, and partnerships to promote sustainable management of land for agriculture. The platform is accessible to faculty members, researchers, students, local farmers, entrepreneurs, and the public free of charge, enabling inclusive participation in educational and outreach programmes on sustainable agriculture and resource management.

Within the platform, multiple faculties and research centers collaborate to deliver training and applied learning:

• • Faculty of Agriculture – Smart greenhouse systems, livestock and aquaculture farms, the Lanna Thai Coffee Development Center, and demonstration farms for sustainable soil and crop management.

  • Faculty of Agro-Industry – Agricultural processing and Bioplastic Pilot Plant, supporting circular production systems.

  • Food Innovation and Packaging Center (FIN) – Future Food Laboratory and pilot facilities for value-added food product development.

  • Lanna Rice Research Center – Demonstration paddy fields, rice cultivation technologies, and post-harvest management.

  • Energy Research and Development Institute–Nakornping (ERDI-CMU) – Integrated Biomass Management Center, transforming agricultural waste into renewable energy.

  • Science and Technology Park (STeP) – RF Technology Pilot Plant and Innovative Food Fabrication Pilot Plant, providing comprehensive innovation support for startups and SMEs.

        Through free educational workshops, community training sessions, and the BCG Mae Hia Tour, participants gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, soil and water conservation, circular economy practices, and green innovation. The initiative encourages practical learning, technology transfer, and collaborative research that benefit local farmers and communities.

The platform has produced tangible outcomes:

• Over 120 participants from academia and local communities engaged in BCG learning activities and research partnerships.

• Development of research and innovation projects worth over 30 million THB aligned with sustainable land use.

• Empowerment of farmers and community enterprises adopting circular agriculture and renewable energy models.

By integrating education, research, and outreach within an open, no-cost learning environment, the CMU BCG Platform @ Mae Hia exemplifies how a university can empower society to adopt sustainable land and agricultural practices. The initiative directly supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) and demonstrates CMU’s leadership in advancing inclusive, sustainability-driven education for all.

Source :

• • https://www.facebook.com/ThailandAgriculturalExpo2024
  • https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D923wEPvu/