On May 29, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Khon Kaen University, through the Center for Sustainable Innovation and Society at its International College, in collaboration with the National Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Management Unit (BPC), under the supervision of the National Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), launched the research project titled “Ugly Veggies Plus – Advancing Business Models Based on Traceability Technology and Low Carbon Circular Economy for Sustainable Management of Organic Food Supply Chains and Exports.” The event was held at Kandhavas Place, The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok.
This project, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paninee Naruepharadol, Director of the Center for Sustainable Innovation and Society, International College, Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with organic vegetable and fruit farmers, private sector companies including AZIO Co., Ltd., and WEAL Consultant Co., Ltd., aims to enhance the value of misshapen vegetables, which were previously discarded as waste, by processing and selling them through an online platform.
During the first phase of the project, funded by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), it successfully reduced vegetable waste by 30-50%. However, 5% of vegetable scraps remained. The research team thus advanced to the Ugly Veggies Plus project, employing blockchain technology to trace vegetable origins, synthesize bioplastic bags from vegetable scraps, and produce planting soil from organic vegetables. This effort reduces vegetable waste by 100%, promotes the circular economy, and supports the BCG Economy Model.
The Ugly Veggies Plus platform aims to increase consumer confidence by providing traceable information on organic food, ensuring it is beneficial, toxin-free, and environmentally friendly. This transparency adds value to products for both businesses and farmers. The project is currently being piloted with Marriott hotels, and upon success, it can be extended to restaurants and department stores. Therefore, the benefits extend beyond farmers to all stakeholders in the supply chain, from cultivation to customer, including hotel restaurants using organic vegetables, processed food businesses for domestic and export sales, and export food businesses that can adapt the innovations to their products.
The research team held a press conference to launch the project, attended by Dr. Pongvipa Lohsomboon, Chairman of the BPC Circular Economy Planning Subcommittee, Prof. Dr. Thidarut Boonmars, Vice President for Innovation and Enterprise, Khon Kaen University, Asst. Prof. Sirimonbhorn Thipsingh, Dean of International College, Khon Kaen University, Mr. Apichai Ruangsiripiyakul, owner of AZIO Co., Ltd., blockchain technology developer and project investor, and executives from The Athenee Hotel Bangkok, as beneficiaries of the research.
