Thnot d’Or 2026: the jury sets the course

The jury of the Thnot d’Or 2026 met on 31 March to officially launch the new edition of the competition, which this year focuses on innovative probiotic drinks made from raw materials originating in Cambodia’s terroirs. Around Dr Hay Ly Eang, President of the Kinal Foundation, the jury members Dr Ai Songheang, Dr Bunton Borarin, Lao Reasey and Philippe Monnin were joined by several representatives of the Kinal Foundation and the PPM–Confirel Group.

In line with the rotating chairmanship principle, the jury appointed Mr Lao Reasey to succeed Dr Borarin as chair of the Thnot d’Or jury. This steady rotation brings together different areas of expertise and perspectives in pursuit of a single ambition: to promote creative, sustainable agri‑processing that is firmly rooted in Cambodia’s rural realities.

The theme for 2026 was confirmed as the design of an innovative probiotic drink using raw materials sourced from Cambodian terroirs. On this occasion, Dr Hay Ly Eang reiterated the importance of probiotics for human organs and their role in maintaining health, highlighting the strong potential of local products to meet consumers’ growing expectations in terms of well‑being.

During the discussions, Dr Borarin suggested focusing research on a few flagship products, such as mango or other local ingredients. However, Dr Hay preferred to give students complete freedom in their choice of raw materials, in order to encourage exploration of a wide diversity of agricultural resources and to gain a better understanding of the probiotics found in local products.

The competition timetable was also clarified. One specific feature of this edition is that the final and the awards ceremony will not be held on the same day. The final will take place on 29 August 2026, while the awards ceremony is scheduled for 12 September 2026, during the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the PPM–Confirel Group, alongside the presentation of the 2026 Kinal Prize.

The key milestones are now set: concept papers (project summaries) must be submitted by 30 April 2026 at the latest; the finalist teams will be announced on 15 May; they will then prepare and finalize their projects between 15 May and 31 July; and the oral presentation materials must be sent to the jury by 31 July, giving it around one month to review them ahead of the final.

This year, around 35 teams from 11 universities and institutes are expected to take part, of which 10 will be selected for the final on the basis of their concept papers. Projects will be assessed according to three main criteria, for a total of 20 points: rationale and relevance (3/20), including a strong grounding in the processing of authentic Khmer agricultural products and a contribution to improving producers’ income; feasibility (7/20), covering ease of implementation, investment costs compatible with SMEs or family‑based structures and applicability to the local economic fabric; and finally innovation and creativity (10/20), whether in the product, process, packaging, uses or marketing, in line with environmental protection and the principles of sustainable agri‑processing.

With this new edition, the Thnot d’Or competition reaffirms its role as a catalyst between universities, business and producers, and illustrates the PPM–Confirel Group’s commitment to supporting responsible innovation that stays close to Cambodia’s terroirs.