Dr. Kim Eang Tho, a BHEARD Scholar and Agricultural Innovation Proposal Winner was awarded an Encouragement Award

Dr. Kim Eang Tho, a BHEARD Scholar and Agricultural Innovation Proposal Winner was awarded an Encouragement Award from the 2020 Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award Program

Dr. Kim Eang Tho, a BHEARD Scholar and Agricultural Innovation Proposal Winner was awarded an Encouragement Award from the 2020 Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award Program. His research centers on how to minimize the application of intensive chemical pesticides in urban gardens. His team has focused on developing a new product called iGreenSYNERGY, a mixture of foliage fertilizer, natural anti- insect and microbial compounds, induced resistance along with three essential oils (neem, citrus, and citronella) and natural surfactant in one pesticide spray bottle. The final product is easy to use and completely safe and suitable for ornamental and potting plants in urban areas.  

Dr. Eang's production process is based on an inclusive approach using local communities to supply raw materials and engaging in outreach with input suppliers and end-users for marketing. Dr. Eang emphasizes that, "iGreenSYNERGY and our commitment to community engagement will help improve local farmers’ incomes, general public health, and wellbeing." From the Hitachi Global Foundation website,  

"The Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award is an award program launched this year to promote science, technology and innovation that contributes to solving social issues and realizing a sustainable society in the ASEAN region.

This award recognizes individuals and groups that undeniably served public interests through their outstanding achievements in research and development (R&D) in the fields of science and technology, including their visions of an ideal future society and social implementation plans for R&D as a means of achieving SDGs." 

Dr. Eang was one of 12 recipients selected through both a research review process and online interview. Dr. Eang used research supported by BHEARD in combination with his other research for this competition. Learn more about the Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award and Dr. Eang's Project: https://www.hitachi-zaidan.org/global/topics/topics002.html 

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