NSTDA and ISSCAS Conclude International Training Course on Sustainable Acidic Soil Management

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISSCAS) successfully organized the "International Training Course on Health Maintenance and Sustainable Management of Acidic Soils" from November 17 to 20, 2025.

Held at the Mandarin Hotel in Bangkok, the event was supported by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO) and the Nanotechnology Association of Thailand. The course addressed the critical challenge of acidic soils, which account for approximately 50% of the world's potentially cultivable land and pose high ecological risks.

The program aimed to develop advanced knowledge and techniques for managing acidic soils, particularly across the "Belt and Road" region. A diverse group of participants attended the course, including ASEAN delegates from the ASEAN BCG Network, alongside scientists and researchers from China and Thailand. This broad collaboration fostered a strong regional network dedicated to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals of "No Poverty" and "Zero Hunger".

Participants engaged in comprehensive sessions led by experts from ISSCAS, NSTDA, and partner universities. Key topics covered during the training included:

Remediation Technologies: Principles of contaminated soil remediation and amelioration of acidic soils.
Advanced Applications: The use of remote sensing, nanotechnology, and biochar for soil improvement.
Biological Approaches: Discussions on the soil microbiome, root crosstalk, and plant adaptation mechanisms.

The four-day event concluded with an exclusive site visit to BIOTEC at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, providing participants with practical insights into agricultural research facilities.