The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) has promoted the adoption of three technologies among local communities in its continued efforts to transform traditional farming into smart agriculture.
The three technologies are drones, smart tractors, and automated farm management systems.
The drones are intended to enhance farming precision, while smart tractors will improve productivity and reduce costs, the agency noted.
The automated farm management system leverages data for decision-making, from cultivation to post-harvest management.
Preesan Rakwatin, acting senior executive vice-president at depa, said the promotion of the three technologies constitutes the third phase of its One Tambon, One Digital (Otod) initiative, aimed at accelerating the country's transition towards smart agriculture.
Thailand has only 1 million smart farmers, equivalent to 12-15% of the total farming population.
Mr Preesan said Otod phase 3 is meant to be a springboard to bridge this gap by enabling communities to adopt certified digital solutions listed under the Thailand Digital Catalog and bearing the dSURE mark.
"Thailand's economic structure remains highly uneven. Large corporations, around 15,000 firms, account for 56% of GDP, while the agricultural sector, with more than 8 million households, contributes only 8%," he said.
Meanwhile, large enterprises command 88.3% of technology usage, while small farmers are constrained by labour shortages, household debt and climate volatility.
Mr Preesan said depa's goal is not just to introduce digital tools into communities, but to create new professions and transform farmers into data-driven entrepreneurs.
Beginning with Otod phase 1 in 2024, depa supported 500 communities in adopting agricultural drones and established 50 drone repair centres.
Under phase 3, depa is providing financial support to communities and Thai startups across eight strategic provinces.
The initiative is designed to generate at least 500 million baht annually in grassroots economic impact.
