The Faculty of Agriculture, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), Nakhon Si Thammarat Campus (Thung Yai), led by Sathit Buakhao, organized the “Durian Harvest Controller” training course in June–July 2025 in three batches (21–22 June, 28–29 June and 5–6 July 2025). The course follows the Thai Agricultural Standard TAS 9070-2566 (2023), Code of Practice for Inspection and Acceptance of Durian for Collection and Packing Houses. Durian is a key economic crop of southern Thailand, yet the harvesting of immature fruit, non-standard produce inspection and a shortage of personnel skilled in harvest control have lowered the quality and reputation of Thai durian in export markets. The course aims to raise the quality of Thai durian, build a standards-qualified workforce for the durian supply chain, and create a sustainable source of academic-service income for the university. Participants included QC staff of collection and packing houses, independent and in-house durian cutters, farmers, entrepreneurs, government officers and the interested public.
The course was delivered through the faculty’s five-step best practice: (1) demand analysis with farmers, entrepreneurs and related agencies; (2) development of a standards-based curriculum with experts, supported by manuals and learning materials; (3) hands-on training combining theory — the durian trade and competitive situation and relevant agricultural standards — with practical sessions in a durian orchard, including visual inspection of fruit maturity, cutting and checking the flesh, and dry-matter analysis of durian pulp using the microwave-oven method; (4) theory and practical assessment, with successful participants receiving a certificate issued jointly by the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) and RUTS; and (5) continuous knowledge management through lessons learned, a knowledge repository and regular curriculum updates. The course was offered at a registration fee of THB 2,500 per person, with 30–50 participants per batch.
The certificate can be used to support standard certification of collection and packing houses and allows graduates to register with ACFS as professional durian cutters and graders. As a result, farmers and entrepreneurs gained the knowledge and skills to harvest only mature durian that meets the standard, helping to raise the quality and value of Thai durian, reduce losses from rejected fruit and strengthen confidence in export markets. The course also built a network of durian practitioners and “Durian Harvest Controllers”, generated sustainable income for the university, and was selected as a RUTS KM Best Practice. Next steps include expanding training to major durian-producing areas, developing advanced courses such as Durian Quality Control (QC Durian), post-harvest management and orchard management, launching e-learning, and moving toward national occupational standards, in line with the faculty’s vision of becoming a central hub for developing personnel in agricultural product standards.
This initiative demonstrates the role of RUTS in using teaching and learning to transfer standards-based knowledge and quality-control technology to the durian agro-industry. By upgrading the technical capability of harvesters, collection and packing houses, and farmers, the course contributes directly to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, while also supporting quality education, farmer income, reduced food loss and partnerships with national standards agencies.
Key Figures or Measurable Results:
- 3 training batches (2 days each) held between 21 June and 6 July 2025
- 30–50 participants per batch
- Certificate issued jointly by ACFS and RUTS; graduates eligible to register with ACFS as professional durian cutters/graders
- Course aligned with Thai Agricultural Standard TAS 9070-2566
- Registration fee of THB 2,500 per person, generating academic-service income for the university
- Five-step best-practice model, recognized as a RUTS KM Best Practice
The theory sessions were delivered by faculty instructors and experts from the Faculty of Agriculture, RUTS. Participants learned about the durian trade and competitive situation, export requirements, and the Thai Agricultural Standard TAS 9070-2566 on the inspection and acceptance of durian for collection and packing houses, including the roles and responsibilities of a Durian Harvest Controller in ensuring that only mature fruit enters the supply chain.
In the practical sessions held in a durian orchard setting, participants practised visual inspection of fruit maturity, cutting and checking the flesh, and dry-matter analysis of durian pulp using the microwave-oven method, which is the standard technique for verifying durian maturity before harvest and acceptance. These hands-on activities enabled participants to apply quality-control techniques that can be used directly in their orchards, collection points and packing houses.
At the end of the course, participants were assessed in both theory and practice. Successful participants received a certificate issued jointly by the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) and RUTS, which supports standard certification of collection and packing houses and allows graduates to register as professional durian cutters and graders. The course also strengthened the network of durian practitioners, farmers, entrepreneurs and partner agencies working with the Faculty of Agriculture.
Related Links:
Course announcement and registration (Faculty of Agriculture, RUTS):
https://agr.rmutsv.ac.th/ruts/2025/06/10/16906/
Faculty of Agriculture, RUTS – Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/agr.rmutsv
ACFS e-Learning – TAS 9070-2566 standard course:
https://elearning-courses.acfs.go.th/course/9070-2566
Supporting evidence: RUTS KM Best Practice (CoP4) – Durian Harvest Controller Course: a sustainable income-generating academic service model
Information Provider: Sathit Buakhao, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), Nakhon Si Thammarat Campus (Thung Yai) Tel. 081-788-7753