Representatives of FTI and Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon at the signing ceremony of their memorandum of understanding. (Photo: FTI) Bangkok (VNA) – The Federation of Thai Industries(FTI) is advancing smart farming initiatives by collaborating with universityexperts to launch a pilot project for smart agriculture development.
Speaking at a signing ceremony of the memorandum ofunderstanding between the FTI and Rajamangala University of Technology PhraNakhon, FTI chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul said that the project will be basedon the concept of agriculture on demand, meaning demand from industries incertain areas will determine which and how many crops farmers will grow.
Kriengkrai said technologies and innovations will beapplied to farming to add value to the produce and connect them withindustries.
According to the FTI, Thailand's agricultural sectorgenerates 1.5 trillion THB (41.2 billion USD) in value, contributing 8% to the country's GDP. There are roughly12 million farmers in Thailand, compared with 6.15 million workers in theindustrial sector, which shows there is room for further development of Thaiagriculture.
Kriengkrai said Thailand has high potential to strengthen itsagri-business sector because the country has a rich variety of naturalresources.
Meanwhile, Natworapol Rachsiriwatcharabul, chancellor ofRajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon said that the university isready to support the project by advising on farming and technologicalinnovations, helping the FTI run the project inside the university's compound.
The university and the FTI plan to share the know-how gainedfrom this project with farmers in other provinces and members of the FTI.
The FTI previously established the Institute for Agro-BasedIndustries to work with the government on building a new generation of farmerswho can combine modern technologies with marketing plans to better sell theirproducts./.
