The use of farm machinery is set to be increased in Thailand’s agricultural practices, according to the international experts
An exclusive interview forum for media to discuss the topic “Improving Efficiency in Crop Production – How New Technologies Support Farmers in Modern Crop Production” was held today, organised by VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co, Ltd and DLG International GmbH. On 8 June, Thailand, experts from the agriculture industry were invited to the event to share their points of view with the press.
The forum heard there was a shortage of workers in Thailand’s agriculture sector, which still depends on manual labour, but generates the lowest income per person. Many agricultural workers have changed occupation and left the sector completely to secure more stable incomes, and this could develop into a long-term challenge that could affect the production of agricultural products and food in the country. Thailand is an important producer and exporter of agricultural products and food in the Southeast-Asian region.
With its population profile ageing quickly, the labour situation is becoming more transparent. There are currently about 7.5mn people aged 65 or more in the country, and this figure is projected to increase to 17mn by 2040, which will represent more than a quarter of the expected population.
One of the solutions that are supported by both Thailand’s public and private sectors to help tackle the labour shortage is the introduction of mechanized farming practices to enhance the labour capacity and increase efficiency. Mechanised farming is not only able to solve the labour shortage by making the workers that remain much more productive, but it also assures a stable quantity and quality of production. This means a better and more stable income for farmers.
The DLG, which organises AGRITECHNICA, the world's leading trade fair for agricultural technology, is collaborating with VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co, Ltd to hold the second edition of AGRITECHNICA ASIA from 22-24 August 2018 at BITEC, Bangkok. The exhibition supports the policies implemented by Thailand’s public sector to help the country’s farmers’ transition to a new era of farm mechanisation.
Dr Dares Kittiyopas, deputy director-general of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said that her department is committed to enhancing and developing farmers' production capacity – “They will be able to rely on themselves in a sustainable way, have a good quality of life, use technology and innovation and have a stable income. AGRITECHNICA ASIA is very beneficial to the farmers because they can learn the latest innovation and new agricultural machinery that the organiser provide, and they will be ready to step into the new era of agriculture. In the near future, people will use the machines as the main tool, instead of labour, as it is very precise, convenient and helps reducing budget and loss of productivity,” she added.
As co-host of AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2018, the Department of Agricultural Extension will organise guided tours through the trade fair to present farming machine innovation to farmers and interested staff. More than 1,000 Thai smart farmers and provincial officers will be invited.
“The event is planned collaboratively with the organizers DLG and VNU to present technology and machines appropriate to the problems and the needs of farmers taking part so that they could get maximum benefit from the exhibition and the meetings.”
Dr Pisut Paiboonrath, an expert in smart farming from Thailand's National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), said that the concept of smart farming was a topic that interested the public because it represented the shift from the old-fashioned way of farming into modern agriculture using technology and information and communications technology for production and marketing.
“A new generation is becoming more interested in farming as the industry modernizes,” he said. “This is good news, and it provides an opportunity for technology researchers and policymakers to change the mindset and work together to specify the new direction of agriculture in the country to realize the dream of becoming a world food producer.”
There is a lot of activity in the agricultural industry throughout the Asian region, especially in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and of course Thailand, with its very diverse market. This has been a key driver for AGCO to take part in AGRITECHNICA ASIA, where it will showcase its latest products and hopes to meet new customers.
Peter Grothues, chairman of the Advisory Board of DLG International GmbH, said, “AGRITECHNICA ASIA is a forum to gather technologies and innovation on farming machines from across the world, exchange knowledge from international experts in agricultural technologies and share information through seminars and research work.”
Visitors will find new solutions that will help your farm more effective and suitable for any regions, as well as doing the business matching inside the hall. The pre-registration is now open at www.agritechnica-asia.com with the invitation code VMB 12005.
