The Agriconnect Conference & Exhibition 2023 successfully concluded on 25 May in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together nearly 400 participants from 19 countries across several continents
Organised by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) and VNU Asia Pacific, with the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as the official co-host, the event addressed labour shortages, resource competition and environmental degradation, all challenges affecting southeast Asian farming. The two-day event, which included seminars and an exhibition area, culminated in farm visits.
International experts and professionals from agriculture gathered at Agriconnect 2023 to exchange knowledge and insights on the latest innovations, technologies and trends in agriculture. The conference commenced with an opening speech delivered by Narapat Kaeothong, vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand, followed by speeches from Katharina Staske, managing director of DLG Asia Pacific, and Igor Palka, managing director of VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific.
Offering rich and insightful content, the many conference topics included environmental protection, agri-finance for agri-future, smart farming, carbon neutrality in the cane and sugar industry, biogas as an alternative to crop residue management, business models in vertical farming, digital technologies for Thai farmers, empowering young smart farmers, agroecology, biopesticide usage and carbon market regulations for the agriculture sector.
While providing participants with applicable and practical solutions, the seven sessions were interactive with question-and-answer slots and supported the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
In a session titled ‘Opportunities and Challenges for the Adoption of SMART Farming Technologies in Thailand’, organised by the German-Thai Cooperation Project on the sustainable development of cluster-farms, Karsten Ziebell, team leader of the German-Thai Cooperation Project, provided valuable insights into the development of farm structures in Thailand over the past 20 years, highlighting the decline in average agricultural area per farm and its impact on Thai households' livelihoods. The potential of cross-cutting initiatives, including research, enabling policy frameworks, rural financing, and smart farming innovations, in shaping the future of farming was emphasised.
The final day of Agriconnect 2023 featured farm visits that provided attendees with valuable insights into the achievements and aspirations of three farms: Chia Tai x True Digital Solution in Kanchanaburi, Speedy Access in Samutprakarn and DiStar Fresh Farm in Nonthaburi. Co-organised by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), these farm visits offered a captivating journey into the advancements and practices within the agricultural industry.
At the DiStar Fresh farm, CEO, Sansin Sriphiromrak, shared the success story of the farm, emphasising the farm’s commitment to ensuring produce remains free from pests and pollutants. DiStar Fresh has emerged as a leading superfood farm, prioritising total quality control. Dedication to “zero pesticides” has positioned it as champions of sustainable farming, while strategically locating farmed land in urban areas has enabled local growth and distribution. By reducing transportation-related emissions, DiStar Fresh actively contributes to a more sustainable food system.
At the Chia Tai x True Digital Solution farm visit in Kanchanaburi Dr. Wallapat Kaewumpai, the CSO of Chia Tai Farm, presented a range of advanced solutions, including a smart fertigation system, which combines irrigation and fertilization, automating crop fertilization through sensor monitoring. The presence of robotics for harvesting and delivery, spraying drones ensuring precise and efficient pesticide application, and seedling drones facilitating accurate and efficient seedling provision, demonstrated commitment to sustainable farming practices.
The DLG and VNU Asia Pacific are already anticipating the next major agricultural events, AGRITECHNICA 2023 in Hanover, Germany, scheduled for 12-18 November 2023, and AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HORTI ASIA 2024, scheduled for 22-24 May 2024 at BITEC, Bangkok.
