As part of its nationwide digital transformation efforts, Thailand has introduced a cutting-edge smart agriculture platform, equipping farmers with advanced technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability, CoinGeek reported.
Named HandySense B-Farm, the platform leverages smart sensors, big data, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things technology to collect and analyse real-time data with high precision.
The technology enables farmers to integrate sensors for monitoring critical metrics that improve crop yields. By providing real-time data on weather patterns, soil moisture levels, and seedling conditions, HandySense B-Farm supports Thailand’s efforts to diversify its agricultural sector.
Moreover, the platform utilises AI-driven resource optimisation to minimise farm waste. By providing actionable insights, it enables farmers to make informed decisions on irrigation, pruning, and fertilization.
The National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), which developed the platform, states that HandySense B-Farm will help farmers adopt digital technologies.
‘The launch of HandySense B-Farm marks another important milestone for Thailand’s agricultural sector, enabling farmers to utilise digital technology to enhance their capabilities and promote sustainability in the country’s agriculture’, said Panita Pongpaibool, Deputy Director of NECTEC.
According to Pongpaibool, the platform also integrates NECTEC’s expertise in embedded systems, machine vision, photonics, and phonotypes, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and waste reduction. By integrating this expertise, the platform helps farmers improve their quality of life and boost their income, particularly from high-value crops and medicinal plants.
HandySense B-Farm is a government-led initiative to digitalise Thailand’s agricultural sector. It aligns with the national blueprint to position the country as a regional leader by the decade’s end. NECTEC plans to further enhance the platform by incorporating its expertise in machine vision and big data, paving the way for expanded functionalities and greater precision in agricultural management.
Thailand has the fourth-highest per capita income in ASEAN, with real GDP growth projected at 2.6% in 2024, up from 1.9% in 2022. Its population of 70 million and its growing middle class are driving demand for agricultural products.