On December 15, 2022, the “Capacity Building on Circular Economy, Resource and Energy Efficiency for Productivity and Sustainability of Cassava Value Chain to High Value Products: Cassava Root, Native Starch and Biogas in Mekong Countries (CCC) project held a workshop to bring the project to a close and celebrate the achievements in strengthening the development of the cassava industry in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam and Thailand (CLMVT). Through knowledge and technology transfers, cooperation between research institutes, cassava-related industries, and farmers was promoted while an understanding of environmentally friendly production of cassava waste to biogas was also increased.

Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) took the lead in implementing the project, with funding coming from the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF). The closing event was attended by representatives of the Republic of Korea’s Diplomatic Mission to Thailand, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Thailand, NSTDA, Mekong Institute (MI), the project advisory committee, project team members, and the media. 

Speaking at the event, Mr. Suriyan Vichitletkarn, MI Executive Director, highlighted the significant contribution of the project to the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concept. He added that the project was built upon three thematic capacity building areas, namely (I) Cassava Root: Techniques for Sustainable Production, (ii) Cassava Starch: Processing Technology, and (iii) Cassava Waste: Biogas Production and Waste Management, and aimed to train farmers, industry players, researchers, and concerned government officials from the five Mekong countries. Through this holistic approach, the project sought to ensure long-term sustainability after the project ends.

Over 100 participants, ranging from farmer associations to industry players from CLMVT, benefited from the program.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was extended for 6 months while some activities were adjusted to take place virtually.

Mr. Robby Rosandi, Program Officer, Trade and Investment Facilitation Department, MI, added that this project is the 10th MKCF program to be completed since the launch of the fund in 2015. In managing this fund, MI serves as the coordinator of the MKCF assuming the roles of administrating the grant, providing advisory services, and monitoring the implementation as well as the quality assurance.