Cognizant of the risks that need addressing and the potentials waiting to be tapped, Thailand, through the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), focused on developing smart farmers, more specifically, the younger farming sector, through two (2) major programs launched a year apart less than a decade ago.

First was the Smart Farmer (SF) Program, managed by the Agricultural Land Office, launched in 2013. The SF Program sought to integrate data, communication, and other emergent technologies into its agricultural production systems. This is to institute efficient farming methods, higher crop yields, better crop management, greater crop protection, and ultimately, better income for Thai farmers. The program utilized modern technological solutions to traditional agricultural concerns spanning pre-planting activities to post harvest endeavors.

The second was the Young Smart Farmer (YSF) Program, managed by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), launched in 2014. The YSF Program was envisioned to counter the decline in the number of young people involved in farming, given the country’s aging farming population.