On July 17, 2024, Mr. Yeap Swee Chuan, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mrs. Teo Lee Ngo, Executive Director of AAPICO Hitech Public Company Limited, along with Dr. Chutima Eamchotchawalit, Governor of the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, and Mr. Khomsan Yanawattana, Deputy Governor of Pathum Thani Province, jointly launched the “BioD I Group Microorganism” for decomposing rice straw.
The event “Stop Stubble Burning, Pathum Thani to be smoke free province” took place at the demonstration rice field in Chiang Rak Yai Subdistrict, Sam Khok District, Pathum Thani Province.
AAPICO Group, including its subsidiaries, supported the initiative by providing 15 bio-fermentation machines to be distributed across 7 stations in 7 districts: Sam Khok, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thanyaburi, Lam Luk Ka, Lat Lum Kaeo, and Nong Suea with the sponsorship of 4,280,000 Thai Baht. The objective of this project, driven by AAPICO Group’s sustainable policy in 3 aspects of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance), is to address the current PM2.5 air pollution and contribute to mitigating global warming. One of the key factors contributing to PM2.5 pollution is the traditional practice of farmers called “Stubble Burning” which is burning of rice straw and bran for weed control and soil preparation for subsequent planting seasons. By promoting the use of bio-fermentation machines, we hope to alter farmers’ behavior and reduce the environmental impact associated with burning agricultural residues, as a result, decreasing of CO2 emission (E : Environment), clean air and better well-being for Pathum Thani locals (S : Social).