SDG 2 Zero Hunger
2.5.3 University Access to Local Farmers and Food Producers
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University supports local entrepreneurs and producers by providing access to University resources, infrastructure, knowledge, and academic services. These efforts support product development, quality and standards improvement, competitiveness, and the commercialization of local products. Key activities include:
- PBRU Central Lab and Pilot Plant
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University operates the PBRU Central Lab and Pilot Plant as a research and product development service center for local entrepreneurs in Phetchaburi and nearby areas. The Center provides services including product testing, formulation development, pilot-scale production, packaging development, and preparation for product certification. These services enable entrepreneurs to access the University’s scientific, technological, and innovation infrastructure to improve product quality, add value, and develop products for commercialization.
The University also promotes PBRU as a service provider for integrated SME and product development, supporting local entrepreneurs in strengthening their product development capabilities and competitiveness.
2. Western SMEs Foodinnopolis Project
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University, in collaboration with three other Western-region Rajabhat Universities, implemented the Western SMEs Foodinnopolis Project to support SMEs and community enterprises in the agricultural and food sectors. The project provides access to knowledge, research, science, technology, innovation, experts, and University resources to support product development, value addition, and business capacity building. It also strengthens university–business networks for knowledge exchange, market linkages, and sustainable product commercialization.
Under the project, the University selected five agricultural and food enterprises from Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces to participate in the capacity-building process:
– Khao Kalok Agro-Tourism Community Enterprise
– Suan Ruenrom & Jaonai Bakery Community Enterprise
– Next Step Community Enterprise
– Huai Mae Phriang Chili Paste Processing Community Enterprise
– Phetchamalai Kun Farm
3. Study Visit to Nai Kong Farm, Suphan Buri Province
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University organized a study visit for selected entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge on integrated agricultural business development, including raw material management, production, product development, agricultural networking, branding, and marketing. The activity enabled entrepreneurs to apply the knowledge and experience gained to improve their agricultural and food products and business development.
4. “From Farm to Brand” Training Program
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University organized a capacity-building training program for SMEs in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. The training covered quality raw material management, processing, product quality and standards, branding, and marketing, enabling entrepreneurs to develop high-quality, value-added agricultural and food products and strengthen their sustainable market competitiveness.
activity synthesized knowledge, success factors, challenges, and recommendations to improve support approaches based on entrepreneurs’ readiness and facilitate the replication and scaling of successful practices in other areas.
5.“Western SMEs Foodinnopolis” Lessons Learned Activi
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University provided a platform for researchers, project teams, and entrepreneurs from the Western Region network to exchange lessons learned on the implementation and support processes for agricultural and food processing businesses. The activity synthesized knowledge, success factors, challenges, and recommendations to improve support approaches based on entrepreneurs’ readiness and facilitate the replication and scaling of successful practices in other areas.
Through these activities, Phetchaburi Rajabhat University provided local agricultural and food entrepreneurs with access to knowledge, experts, technology, innovation, and University infrastructure. The support covered raw material and product development, quality and standards improvement, branding, market linkages, and commercialization, helping strengthen competitiveness and the capacity of agricultural and food enterprises and community enterprises in a sustainable manner.
- Agricultural and Food Product Standards and Commercialization Training
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University organized a training activity under the Western SMEs Foodinnopolis Project to enhance SMEs’ knowledge and skills in developing quality and standardized agricultural and food products for commercialization. The training covered quality and standards improvement, value-added processing, branding, packaging development, facility standards, and food product standards (FDA), with guidance from experts in relevant fields. The activity aimed to help entrepreneurs add value to their products and strengthen their market competitiveness.
