Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Surasak Phancharoenworakul has announced a “half-cost agricultural drone” scheme to promote smart farming.
The scheme will subsidise drone services to help farmers boost productivity and reduce chemical exposure, Surasak said on October 6, adding that its pilot phase will begin in the central region, with plans to expand nationwide.
The minister stated that the programme will also enable agricultural drone service providers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, to participate and grow their businesses. The drone initiative is part of the new government’s “Quick Win” policy, which his ministry plans to implement alongside other measures aimed at delivering tangible results within four months.
Among these policies are upskilling and reskilling programmes that will be launched through universities and science parks nationwide in response to technological disruptions caused by artificial intelligence. These programmes will focus on market-relevant skills and help unemployed individuals re-enter the workforce or transition into becoming SME or startup entrepreneurs, Surasak said.
He further noted that funding and business incubation will be provided by agencies such as the Technology and Innovation-Based Enterprise Development Fund and the National Innovation Agency.
Regarding higher education, the ministry has introduced a range of policies, including subsidising fees for the 2026 Thai University Central Admission System exams, targeting 730,000 students. It also plans to launch the Green University initiative in support of Thailand’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050./.
