BOI and University Provide Artificial Intelligence Training to Farmers in Thailand

In collaboration between the Thailand Board of Investment's (BOI) Region 3 Investment Economy Center and Sripatum University Khon Kaen campus, a comprehensive training program has been launched to equip farmers and university students with artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Held at the Ratchawadee Airport Hotel in Khon Kaen, the event was organized under the theme "A New Era of Smart Farming with AI and IoT." The training program offers a short-term curriculum developed with the contributions of agricultural units, social enterprises, and smart farming pilot farms. Attended by approximately 200 farmers and relevant individuals, the program aims to accelerate the integration of digital technologies into the agricultural field. Through this, it is aimed for traditional farmers to transform into smart farm managers capable of using modern data management tools.

At the opening of the event, Wannanipa Phiphchaichaisit, Director of the BOI Region 3 Investment Economy Center, emphasized that the agricultural potential of Khon Kaen and Northeastern Thailand (Isan region) in general is extremely high. The Director stated that they organize training sessions to increase the competitive power of entrepreneurs in the regions and that this potential is of critical importance, especially in AI along with the Bio-economy, Circular economy, and Green economy (BCG) trends. In the speech, where it was reminded that agriculture is positioned as the heart of the Thai economy, it was expressed that technological transformation is inevitable for the country's future. Officials emphasized that farmers must be not only producers but also data-driven decision-makers. In line with this vision, regional development is planned to be supported by a sustainable digital infrastructure.

Dr. Jantaya Pukyaporn, Vice President of Sripatum University Khon Kaen Campus, stated that the university is in continuous development and actively runs many training programs, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. Pukyaporn noted that artificial intelligence-based agricultural applications have become an integral part of the university's Digital Business Innovation curriculum. The Vice President, arguing that academic institutions cannot remain stagnant and must immediately integrate technological innovations into their education systems, stated that this approach provides significant benefits to both students and local farmers. The university aims to add direct value to the agricultural sector in the region through such collaborations. Furthermore, academic curricula are continuously updated to encourage younger generations to use technology in agriculture.

The Event Chair, Dr. Benjaporn Sathanarakves, explicitly stated that the main purpose of the developed training curriculum is to transfer AI and IoT knowledge to farmers. Sathanarakves, noting that it is practically demonstrated how IoT devices can be integrated into field and farm management so that farmers can benefit from new generation technologies, emphasized that thanks to this data, operational decisions can be made much more accurately. The transformation of individuals engaged in farming through traditional methods into modern managers who can monitor their farms remotely thanks to sensors and algorithms stands out as one of the program's biggest goals. Thanks to the Data-Driven Agriculture approach, it becomes possible to optimize processes such as water usage, fertilizer tracking, and harvest timing. Within the scope of the training, participants are offered practical application opportunities in pilot farms as well as theoretical knowledge.

Overall, this initiative is considered a concrete reflection of Thailand's efforts to bring its agricultural sector together with Industry 4.0 standards. The combination of state-supported investment incentives and the knowledge of academic institutions plays an important role in the digital transformation of local economies. This program, launched with approximately 200 participants, is expected to be expanded by setting an example for other provinces in the region. Smart farming practices, which not only increase the amount of production but also increase resource efficiency and environmental sustainability, offer a regional protective shield against global challenges such as climate change. It is aimed that the farmers who receive training will create an awareness chain by transferring the digital skills they have acquired to their neighbors.