PSU accelerates the creation of GMP HALAL standards to enhance occupational stability for farmers, creating more than 200 new goat herders, stimulating both domestic and international consumption.

        Asst. Prof. Dr. Chaiyawan Wattanachant, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources as the coordinator of the research, development, and driving plan of goat farming in the South welcomed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suchon Tangtaveewipat, NRCT expert and chairperson of the national working group of research and innovation in economic livestock. During the visit, a research summary was presented, followed by a tour of the prototype halal goat slaughterhouse development project, which aims to promote the production of good quality goat meat in the South.

         With the completion of preliminary research, its results will be used to drive support for conducting research activities under the goat farming plan for 2020-2022. Researchers from the PSU Faculty of Natural Resources, and Faculty of Veterinary Science,  along with Songkhla Rajabhat University’s Faculty of Agricultural Technology, combine their knowledge and expertise to solve goat-related issues, including goat-rearing management, feeding systems, improvement and breeding, and goat disease management. This coordinated work is expected to stimulate the economy by generating interest in goat farming occupations, fueled by high market demand, good prices, and the increased nutritional value derived from meat and dairy products. The project will accelerate the process of learning how to produce quality goat feed, and how to add value to products to increase distribution both domestically and internationally.

At the same time, research projects for further development and awareness were also presented, as listed below.

1. Market potential and supply chain management of the Southern goat industry, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Pilaiwan Prapruit, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University
2. Study and development of goat dairy product farming potential, led by Mr. Santi Madman, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajabhat Songkhla University
3. Innovation of goat food from agricultural and industrial waste, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanwisa Ngampongsai, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University
4. Researching and genotyping genome-wide molecular snip markers with genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology to identify specific species and genetic improvement of the meat goat breed "Saup PSU", led by Dr. Pitchayanipa Klomthong, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University
5. The use of biotechnology to increase the efficiency of goat reproduction, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Saritvich Panyaboriban, D.V.M., Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University
6. Research and development of an analytical model for melioidosis in goats, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Vannarat Saechan, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University
7. Development of a prototype of a GMP standard goat milk processing plant and a service center for raw goat milk quality analysis in southern Thailand, led by Dr. Pitunart Noosen, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University
8. Activities and media for goat farming and consumption of goat products, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Apinya Ratanachai, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University.
   
   

       The PSU Faculty of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Small Ruminant Research and Development Center, has developed the hybrid goat breed "Saup PSU 1", by mating native goats in the South with Anglo-Nubian goats characterized by adaptability to the southern climate. The faculty has distributed the knowledge and donated goats to interested farmers, and sold them to farmers as unique economic livestock.