Syngenta Thailand reaffirmed its position as a global leader in agricultural innovation and technology by partnering in the "One Tambon One Digital" (OTOD#2) initiative and participating in the Digital Agriculture Final Pitching Day, organized by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa). The initiative aims to foster digital innovation in Thailand's agricultural sector by empowering community groups and local enterprises across five regions of the country. Outstanding teams with high potential are selected to receive funding to further develop their businesses, with the overarching objective of reducing production costs, increasing farmers' income, and enhancing quality of life through the advancement of smart agriculture.
Wannaporn Wattanakasemsat, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Syngenta Crop Protection Co., Ltd stated, "Syngenta is committed to advancing the Thai agricultural sector in a sustainable manner, with a particular emphasis on delivering innovation directly into the hands of farmers. The Digital Agriculture Final Pitching Day, held under the One Tambon One Digital (OTOD#2) initiative, represents a significant milestone in collaboration between the public and private sectors. It serves as a vital platform for bridging local community-driven ideas with cutting-edge agricultural technologies. We believe that the development of smart agriculture can only be realized through a robust ecosystem that connects farmers, technology developers, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders such as Syngenta. We stand ready to contribute to this ecosystem by providing knowledge, tools, and infrastructure that facilitate an effective and impactful transformation."
"At Syngenta, we place farmers at the heart of every innovation we develop. Our commitment extends beyond yield enhancementwe strive to reduce production costs, improve operational efficiency, and promote environmental sustainability through practical, scalable solutions. These include data-driven crop planning, the strategic use of crop protection products to manage resistance, and the establishment of field learning centers to ensure continuous knowledge transfer from experts to farmers. In addition, we actively collaborate with government agencies, private enterprises, and non-governmental organizations to empower farmers as producers of high-quality, safe, and sustainable food. This approach not only aligns with the evolving expectations of today's consumers but also strengthens the resilience of the global food system in the face of future disruptions. We firmly believe that securing the livelihoods of farmers today is essential to ensuring global food security for generations to come," Wannaporn stated.
Syngenta has consistently prioritized the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices by encouraging Thai farmers to adopt advanced technologies that enhance productivity, resilience, and long-term viability. As Thailand's agricultural sector transitions toward the Agriculture 5.0 eramarked by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and roboticsSyngenta remains at the forefront, delivering comprehensive innovations that empower farmers across all dimensions. One key initiative is the Cropwise Grower application, a pivotal digital platform that enables data-driven crop planning and serves as a fundamental tool for advancing precision agriculture and reducing long-term production costs. It features a comprehensive suite of functionalities tailored to farmers' needs, including localized weather forecasts, optimal spraying time recommendations, and real-time alerts on weed, pest, and disease threats. These capabilities collectively enable farmers to make informed decisions that enhance efficiency and crop health. Syngenta also continues to implement the "Grow Well, Eat Well" program, which aims to shift farmers' perspectives from traditional producers to modern agri-entrepreneurs. By equipping them with strategic capabilities in both production and market planning, the program seeks to increase agricultural output, strengthen economic resilience, and promote a sustainable and dignified livelihood for farming communities across Thailand.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), stated: "The OTOD#2 initiative is designed to foster the development of digital competencies in the agricultural sector by empowering communities and farmers to 'ideate, implement, and achieve' independently. The project enhances all aspects of agricultural production - from cultivation and crop management to post-harvest handling - while preparing stakeholders to transition toward smart agriculture. This will be achieved through the application of three key digital technologies: agricultural drones, smart agricultural tractors, and agricultural IoT systems, all of which are certified under the dSURE standard and registered in the national digital service registry. The OTOD#2 initiative commences with the development of online educational content focused on these three core technologies, followed by an intensive skill-building phase (Accelerate). As part of this effort, depa has conducted on-site activities in 11 provinces nationwide, including technology training sessions, business matching opportunities, and project proposal development. Shortlisted proposals then proceed to a pre-screening process, culminating in formal pitch presentations before panels of expert judges in five provinces across five key regions, ahead of the national final round."
The Digital Agriculture Final Pitching Day showcased project proposals from more than 500 community-based teams nationwide. Finalists were selected to receive financial support and business development opportunities under two categories: 1) Community Technology Adoption - 350 teams were awarded development grants of up to THB 150,000 per project. 2) Community Business Development - 50 teams were awarded development grants of up to THB 200,000 per project. In addition to these grant allocations, outstanding projects in each category received special recognition. The Outstanding Award in Community Technology Adoption was presented to the Hom Chiang Muan Community Enterprise from Northern Thailand, while the Outstanding Award in Community Business Development was conferred upon Mr. Arund Janto. The event also featured an exhibition of cutting-edge agricultural technologies, including drones, smart tractors, and IoT systems for agriculture. Additionally, a panel discussion was convened, bringing together experts from government agencies, the private sector, and model farmers to exchange insights and strategies for accelerating the transformation of Thailand's agricultural sector toward a more sustainable and technology-driven future.
Wannaporn concluded: "The challenges confronting the agricultural sector today cannot be addressed by any single stakeholder acting alone. Syngenta firmly believes that collaboration is the cornerstone of meaningful transformation. It is the synergy between government agencies that formulate policy, private sector organizations that drive innovation, and farmers who implement solutions on the ground that enables true progress. Syngenta stands ready to serve as a key enabler in this collective effort. Through structured and coordinated collaboration, we can effectively advance the transformation of Thailand's agricultural sector toward long-term sustainabilitydelivering positive outcomes for the economy, the environment, and the overall quality of life for the Thai people."