Brisbane (VNA) – Under the witness of the Queensland Government (Australia), Thanh Thanh Cong - Bien Hoa Joint Stock Company (AgriS, HOSE: SBT), through its international investment and partnership arm - Global Mind Australia (GMAA), officially signed a strategic partnership agreement with Farmacist - the largest independent agronomic service provider and advisory firm in the Australian sugar industry.
This is a pivotal step in AgriS’s science-based development strategy, aiming to standardize international agronomic knowledge and commercialize precision farming technology in the Southeast Asian market.
The signing ceremony took place at the Trade and Investment Queensland Office in Brisbane, attended by the Queensland Minister Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment, and Training; the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI); the Department of Primary Industries (DPI); Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade); and senior leadership from AgriS, GMAA, and Farmacist.
Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Honourable Ros Bates MP highlighted the partnership's positive impact on driving jobs, exports, and long-term growth in Queensland’s agricultural sector. Minister Bates stated: "This agreement enables Queensland’s AgTech businesses and agribusinesses to grow, create jobs, and reach new markets. This collaboration continues to leverage Queensland's strengths in agriculture and innovation while supporting regional communities by transforming opportunities into concrete and sustainable economic value."
Farmacist plays catalytic role as the Center of Excellence within the AgriS ecosystem
A key highlight of the agreement is the designation of Farmacist as a Center of Excellence (CoE) for Agronomy within the AgriS ecosystem, specializing in the research and development of professional standards for AgriS.
With over 15 years of experience in the Australian sugar industry and a team of more than 40 qualified agronomists and professionals, Farmacist will act as the central hub for coordinating and standardizing agronomic knowledge for the entire AgriS ecosystem. This is a critical link that allows AgriS to access, evaluate, and scale advanced international farming models across diverse crops and geographical regions.
"Farmacist is not just a business partner; they share a core professional foundation that helps AgriS standardize production processes according to international benchmarks," said Dang Huynh Uc My, Chairlady of the Board of AgriS. "Farmacist’s role as a CoE will lay the foundation for AgriS’s R&D, Agronomy, and Agricultural Extension Center, while serving as the primary point for knowledge transfer to our network of demo farms and research institutes across Australia and Southeast Asia countries."
Jason Dowie, Director of Farmacist, shared: "Today marks more than a transaction. It marks the coming together of shared values, shared capability, and a shared global ambition going forward. This partnership is a major milestone for us, helping to project Queensland’s specialised strengths toward the needs and potential of the global agricultural industry, particularly with partners in Asia."
Commercialising High-Tech Agricultural Solutions via "as-a-Service" Models
Unlike previous collaborations that began in 2022, this agreement between AgriS and Farmacist focuses on transforming agronomic knowledge into viable commercial solutions ready for large-scale deployment in Southeast Asia market.
Specifically, Farmacist’s proprietary data, scientific methodologies, and consulting expertise will be integrated into AgriOS - an integrated digital agriculture platform developed by AgriS. Together, the two parties will build comprehensive service models that combine agronomic consulting, input optimization, mechanization, and precision farming.
These solutions will be deployed through modern business models such as: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Farming-as-a-Service (FaaS), and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS). This approach allows farmers and agribusinesses in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to access advanced technology flexibly, optimizing costs and lowering the barrier of initial investment.
"We are not just transferring technology; we are building an entire ecosystem so that technology can operate effectively in Southeast Asia," explained Mr. Truong Quang Quoc Dai, CEO of Global Mind Australia (GMAA). "The 'as-a-Service' model allows us to bring precision agriculture solutions directly to the field, tailored to the actual conditions of each region."
The "5-Stakeholder" Model: The Key to Sustainable Agriculture
Dang Huynh Uc My emphasized that the partnership with Farmacist is part of the company's comprehensive transformation: "AgriS is shifting from a traditional agricultural company to an integrated agricultural ecosystem operator. We are strengthening our '5-Stakeholder' model, linking the State, Farmers, Scientists, Businesses, and Financial Institutions both in Vietnam and globally."
Through the strategic investment in Farmacist, AgriS is building a foundation for agriculture integrated with science and data. The goal is to spread the achievements of AgTech and FoodTech from Australia to Southeast Asia, creating sustainable value for the entire ecosystem and helping farmers address food security at both national and regional levels.
With this agreement, AgriS is taking a major step toward realising its vision of becoming a technology bridge between Australia and Southeast Asia. By leveraging its ability to connect multilateral partners, government bodies, and prestigious Australian organisations, this elevated partnership with Farmacist confirms AgriS’s position as a regional pioneer in precision, sustainable, and high-tech agriculture./.
