UBE Group has contracted with the Department of Agriculture for the technology rights of PGPR bio-fertilizer.

Ms. Sureeyot Khowsurat, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ubon Bio Ethanol Public Company Limited or UBE, a Thailand’s leading manufacturer and distributor of processed cassava products, as a representative of Ubon Bio Agricultural Co., Ltd., (UBA) a subsidiary company to engage in a contract for the technology rights of the Department of Agriculture with Mr. Rapeephat Chandrasriwong, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture Agriculture for the licensing of the patents titled "Formula and method for producing PGPR bio-fertilizer for sugar cane and cassava" and "Formula and method for producing PGPR bio-fertilizer for rice", to transfer technology for the production and distribution of biological fertilizer products. The event was honored by Capt. Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives as a witness, and was held on September 20, 2023 at Asawin Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok.

By entering into a contract, the company will gain access to the technology owned by the Department of Agriculture, specifically the formula and process for producing PGPR biological fertilizer (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria: PGPR). This bacterial biological fertilizer promotes plant growth by fixing nitrogen, enhancing nutrient absorption, facilitating iron transportation to plant cells, and stimulating cell adhesion through the production of plant hormones, cell division and transformation, as well as the synthesis of enzymes capable of breaking down fungal fibers and combating plant diseases. Furthermore, it aids in the development of antibiotics to efficiently eradicate fungi responsible for plant diseases. The PGPR biological fertilizer has earned recognition as a superior organic fertilizer through comprehensive research conducted in both laboratory and experimental settings. Farmers have attested to its remarkable efficacy in bolstering root growth, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, enhancing productivity, and improving water and fertilizer absorption efficiency. UBA has entered into a contract for 2 formulas, consisting of PGPR-2 bio-fertilizer for rice and PGPR-3 bio-fertilizer for sugar cane and cassava to receive the transfer of technology for production and distribution of PGPR bio-fertilizer. The company sees this operation as a crucial mechanism for supporting the production, distribution, and promotion of PGPR bio-fertilizer, while also ensuring convenient access to high-quality biological fertilizer at an affordable price for farmers. Moreover, it aims to bolster the cultivation of cassava and rice, the country's primary economic crops, in an efficient and sustainable manner, ultimately helping farmers minimize costs and enhance productivity.