Knowledge Management and Transfer of Adding Values of Eggs and Food Products for Supporting Iodine Deficiency and Cretinism in Children

Abstract

The aim of this study were to: 1) assess the effectiveness of knowledge management and transfer of value addition of eggs and foods to support iodine deficiency and cretinism in children and 2) develop a community research center for adding value to agricultural products, as applied to eggs and food products to support iodine deficiency and cretinism in children. Participatory action research was conducted in Naphu sub-district, Phen district, Udonthani province. The knowledge imparted consisted of the production of iodine fortified agricultural products, processing of agricultural products and iodine deficiency, nutrition, and consuming iodine enriched foods. The participants were farmers, entrepreneurs, local trainers, officers, and local people. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. Frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to analyze the quantitative data. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The research findings revealed that knowledge transfer led to changes and achievement for the benefit of targeted populations and the community, which could be continued and expanded in terms of sustainability in this area. Outputs obtained include producing local  trainers, the production of iodine fortified agricultural products , a processing manual and digital media for the transfer of knowledge, a nutrition and iodine-enriched food consuming manual, and a community research center for the production of iodine fortified agricultural products. The benefits to community were that farmers and entrepreneurs could work together in community enterprises, the products had higher nutrition values, generated higher income and achieved a life of prosperity. The outcomes of the study will lead the community to become socially and economically self-reliant.