GEd Innovation Showcase Year 1: Plant Genome Editing Advancements

Thansettakij•Economy•17d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Research Development Agency organized the GEd Innovation Showcase 2026 to present plant genome editing research and foster cooperation.

•The Department of Agriculture and ARDA held the GEd Innovation Showcase 2026 at Maruay Garden Hotel, Bangkok.
•The event showcased advancements in Genome Editing (GEd) technology to improve crop resilience and quality.
•Six research projects are being implemented with funding from ARDA, focusing on crops such as rice, sugarcane, and tomatoes.
•The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive Genome Editing ecosystem to make Thailand an ASEAN hub for plant breeding innovation.

Overview

•The Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Development Agency organized the GEd Innovation Showcase 2026 at Maruay Garden Hotel in Bangkok.
•Rapeepat Chantharasriwong stated that Thai agriculture faces pressures from climate change, pests, and economic volatility.
•Rapeepat Chantharasriwong identified Genome Editing (GEd) as a high-potential tool for precise genetic targeting to develop crops that are drought, salt, and heat tolerant.
•The first year of operation includes six research projects funded by the Agricultural Research Development Agency, covering crops including rice, sugarcane, cassava, maize, soybeans, tomatoes, papaya, and mushrooms.
•Researchers from the Department of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology are integrating their research.
•Kulwara Chotipansophon stated that the Agricultural Research Development Agency supports the entire genome editing research chain from basic knowledge to actual utilization.
•Professor Dr. Hiroshi Ezura noted that Japanese consumers increasingly accept GEd technology after the 2021 launch of edited tomatoes because it is seen as an extension of traditional breeding rather than GMO.
•Naiyaneat Charoensanti Tanaka emphasized the need to invest in creating genomic data for Thai native plants to ensure precise gene editing results.

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Key Quotes

Rapeepat Chantharasriwong

"The goal is to ensure research does not stop in the laboratory, but can be used to reduce costs, increase income, and truly improve the quality of life for farmers."

เป้าหมายคือทำให้ผลงานวิจัยไม่หยุดอยู่ในห้องปฏิบัติการ แต่สามารถนำไปใช้ลดต้นทุน เพิ่มรายได้ และยกระดับคุณภาพชีวิตของเกษตรกรได้จริง

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Agriculture(กรมวิชาการเกษตร)ℹ️

The government agency that organized the GEd Innovation Showcase 2026 and is driving the implementation of genome editing in agriculture.

Agricultural Research Development Agency(สำนักงานพัฒนาการวิจัยการเกษตร (องค์การมหาชน))

The organization known as ARDA that provided budget support for the genome editing research projects.

Kasetsart University(มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์)ℹ️

An educational institution whose researchers are integrated into the GEd research projects.

National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology(ศูนย์พันธุวิศวกรรมและเทคโนโลยีชีวภาพแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

A research agency whose researchers are integrated into the GEd research projects.

University of Tsukubaℹ️

A Japanese university affiliated with Professor Dr. Hiroshi Ezura.

Place

Maruay Garden Hotel(โรงแรมมารวยการ์เด้น)

The venue in Bangkok where the GEd Innovation Showcase 2026 was held.

Bangkok(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

The location of the GEd Innovation Showcase 2026 event.

Person

Rapeepat Chantharasriwong(รพีภัทร์ จันทรศรีวงศ์)

The Director-General of the Department of Agriculture.

Kulwara Chotipansophon(กุลวรา โชติพันธุ์โสภณ)

The Deputy Director of the Agricultural Research Development Agency.

Hiroshi Ezura

A professor from the University of Tsukuba who shared experience on GEd plant development in Japan.

Naiyaneat Charoensanti Tanaka(นัยเนตร เจริญสันติ ทานากะ)

A professional agricultural academic in the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Group of the Department of Agriculture.