Thailand: Grass always greener on model smart farm
‘Digital Villagers’ let no handicap prevent them from growing their organic dreams
Bangkok Post
June 29, 2022
Excerpt:
The farm has been handpicked as one of several pilot models of the “Digital Village Initiative” by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The FAO has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) to implement digital innovations on the farm, which formerly belonged to the Association of the Physically Handicapped.
The pilot project is aimed at promoting digitalisation in rural areas and enabling the locals to apply, deploy or harness innovations and technologies, services and solutions, to improve their economic livelihoods and individual wellbeing through better connectivity, according to the FAO.
Members of the association in Pathum Thani have embraced the Internet of things (IoT) for watering, sprinkling and misting organic vegetables on its one-rai plot and received financial support for facility design and technology from Bangkok University and the Depa since 2020.
Raweewan Bokhuntod, a member of the association, was busy bedding lettuce seedlings in soil when the Bangkok Post visited, as the latest harvested produce had all sold out. Moreover, it would take another 45 days for the next crop in the greenhouse to fully grow.
With the mercury climbing to 35C in the monsoon season, all the proper steps of cultivation must be respected and observed to avoid disaster, he said.
However, Khuen Supanyabut, who leads the association, said his farm can still manage to grow seasonal vegetables like Chinese kale, bok choy, morning glory and coriander.
