ARDA supports research funds for innovative production of highly nutritious leafy vegetables with LED light technology

On May 6, 2022, the Agricultural Research Development Agency (Public Organization) or ARDA, led by Dr. Suwit Chaikiattiyos, Executive Director of Agricultural Research Development Agency (Public Organization), a witness and speech announcing the cooperation of three universities, private sectors, and ARDA in jointly supporting agricultural research grants title “Innovation in the production of highly nutritious leafy vegetables with LED light technology” that ARDA together with Civic Agrotech Co.LTD.

ARDA has promoted and supported the development of agricultural research. To strengthen the agriculture sector sustainably, the ARDA supports the research fund for the project "Innovation in the production of highly nutritious leaf vegetables LED light technology". This project aims to develop innovative vegetable production using PFAL (Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting) to increase the nutritional value of products with LED lighting technology. (Choose 3 types of plants with market potential, namely Tong Hao, Kale, and Sorrel. Such innovations will increase vitamins (A and C) and chemotype antioxidants in leafy vegetables and be able to extend to a variety of vegetables.

This research is a collaboration of researchers from 3 educational institutions with expertise in each field to drive holistic research, including Naresuan University responsible for plan controlling the statistical analysis supervising and supervising the cultivation of crops without soil (expert in technology after harvesting vegetables and fruits), Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus responsible for controlling crop cultivation and lab environment, control nutrition analysis in vegetables (specializes in cultivating plants in plant factories and seed technology) and the King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi responsible for studying nutritional changes during placement of plantings using LED light and testing the nutritional value of vegetables (expert in utilizing UV and LED on post-harvest fruits and vegetables).

The results of this research, in addition to commercial benefits. On the part of PFAL equipment business and Smart farmer group, It has helped expand the modern agricultural business of Thailand. It also gives consumers the option to eat clean vegetables. Safe and highly nutritious with the BCG agriculture and food drive that emphasizes adding value to agricultural products. If the project is successful, it will also be able to pilot the health claims of agricultural produce by the Food with Function Claim (FFC) functional food health claims filing management system principles.