I would like to express my most sincere thanks to the following people for their contributions to my Master degree program. Firstly, the financial assistance of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Department of Research Cooperation (SAREC), which made possible the implementation of the program, and this work.
I would like to express my deepest heart-felt thanks to my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Metha Wanapat for his endless support in correcting, making constructive comments, inspiring and encouraging me during the study period. He has not only served as my advisor, but has provided so many valuable recommendations beyond just advising, teaching, and supervising. Most importantly, he has allowed me to learn by making mistakes and self-discovery and giving encouragement.
I wish to express admiration to Prof. Dr. Brian Ogle, MEKARN International Coordinator , Prof. Dr. Inger Ledin course coordinator who worked hard in ensuring that this course was carried out smoothly and efficiently.
I would like to thank you most sincerely Prof. Dr. Luu Trong Hieu, former Regional Course Coordinator, Dr. Ngo Van Man, Regional Course Coordinator, Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, Regional Administrative Officer and all of his staff for his warm welcome and the hospitality accorded me, and for all the assistance, making everything possible and convenient throughout the course.
I am deeply indebted to the Tropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center (TROFEC), Department of Animal science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand and the farmers, Mrs, Nongyouw Kujapun for their kind facilitation and permission to use the experimental animals, equipment and facilities.
I would like to thank you most sincerely my thesis examiner, Dr. Peter Rowlinson, for his invaluable suggestions and correction this thesis.
I would like to express my gratitude to all others whose names do not appear herein who helped me carried out this thesis to a full completion.