The new IoT-based precision farming solution was launched by local telco dtac in partnership with government agencies
Thai telecommunications firm dtac has launched a precision farming solution through a partnership with Thailand’s Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC).
Through this new smart farming solution, the telco and the government agencies aim to equip local farmers with the technology they need to face challenges, such as climate change, plant disease and soil moisture.
“Technology plays a vital role across industries, including agriculture. However, the agriculture sector’s contribution to Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has fallen from 32% in 1960 to 10% last year, according to data from the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB). Since labor in agriculture accounts for 26% of our population, this poses a major threat to our sustainable economic development,” said On-uma Rerkpattanapipat, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at dtac.
To address the problem, dtac and its partners have launched a one-year pilot project that introduces this IoT based solution to monitor, analyze and predict the factors affecting cultivation. The new solution will allow farmers to have access to a more precise farming system that should help increase crop yields, control quality of agricultural products and reduce production costs.
dtac is responsible for the wireless internet connectivity and cloud computing, while NECTEC will develop and research on sensory system with the aim to look for indicators of planting standards. Meanwhile, DOAE will recruit 30 eligible applicants across Thailand to take part in the trial periods.
“This partnership encourages young farmers in Thailand to adopt efficient use of technology and provides farmers with access to information they otherwise would not have. The initiative is another example of how Telenor supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal #10 Reduced Inequalities,” said Mai Oldgard, SVP and Head of Telenor Group Sustainability.
dtac is fully owned by Norwegian telecommunications group Telenor.
