Innovative 'modern agriculture' helps the world, helps farmers

According to the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2021, the food and agricultural industry accounts for one-third of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, 71% of the world's water use, and solutions to reduce its impact. It is possible to combine agriculture with technology by bringing digital systems together to create sustainable farming.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Asia-Pacific region found that Southeast Asia There is very high security in food and agriculture. But at the same time, it affects the environment as well. Joint action to reduce global warming in the region Therefore, investments in farmers' groups and land use management must be invested. including the introduction of new innovations in the process To increase productivity and lead to modern agriculture and it is important to achieve net-zero carbon emissions reductions in the region.

 

Today, technology is being used in various fields of agriculture such as the United States and Europe. The application of software to raise the level of cultivation, while in Australia, the rice is grown using automated machines. including the use of drones To inspect the area on behalf of workers in Singapore or analysis of arable land via satellite in Indonesia or in Thailand, there are startups Agricultural interests such as Gaorai (nine rai) where the operating system technology that will use drones to water and spray the crops can help reduce farmers' expenses by up to 30%.

“Modern agricultural innovation”  ( AGTECH )  or Agricultural Technology has thus become another important role. To advance the agricultural sector and reduce the environmental impact. “National Innovation Agency” ( NIA) describes the modern farming trend that is trending all over the world. full of technology and many agricultural innovations which were used to develop farming methods Facilitate the life of the modern farmer (Smart Farmer), including helping to solve the problems of agricultural land that has been reduced due to the expansion of urban society. weather fewer farmers impacts from disasters, etc., in order to have sufficient production to meet consumer demand.  

1. Digital agriculture is the utilization of various agricultural data collection, including soil conditions, water conditions, temperature, humidity, amount of light, cultivated area. growth situation, etc., which will give an understanding of the problems and needs that differ in each area help find suitable farming methods accuracy and maximum efficiency for farmers able to use existing data to be further enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI).

2. Agricultural machinery, robots, drones, and automation which has a role at present that farmers nowadays are dwindling helps farmers save time labor-saving but still produces the same product more than before helps increase efficiency, lower costs and improve the quality of life for farmers.

3. Agricultural biotechnology It is the application of various knowledge sciences, including biology, chemistry, and agricultural knowledge.to develop microorganisms for agricultural applications gene modification improve plants or animals become products, businesses, and solutions to agricultural problems is widely used, for example, the utilization of soil microorganisms. to encourage growth and drought tolerance weed resistantReduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides or even breeding animals to be resistant to disease outbreaks 

4. New Farm Management It is a trend that helps increase production efficiency. control plant and animal growth factors and help farmers do not have to worry about the damage of their products, whether it is "Controlled Environment Agriculture", which can control the atmosphere in terms of light, humidity, insect-free, without the need for chemicals. and does not affect air pollution able to grow crops in the recirculating water system, aerial root system, and water planting. or the construction of a closed plant (Plant Factory), including the trend of “Insect Farms” The protein source of the future that the world is watching.   

5. Post-harvest handling and transportation because Thailand is a hot country May result in some agricultural products being easy to perish. Therefore, it is the source of innovation development that is becoming of interest. Environmentally friendly packaging that extends shelf life and preserves including a convenient and accurate product quality inspection system does not destroy productivity and innovations that can be used for fast post-harvest transport, such as ozone-controlled atmospheric containers. or the development of a new type of coating by Thai AgTech startups, etc.

6. Agribusiness services  Even knowing that AgTech innovation will be beneficial to careers. but with the structure of the agricultural industry, Most of them are small to medium-sized farming. This made the farmers unable to invest in buying innovations for themselves. thus becoming another trend in agricultural business services that allows farmers to borrow agricultural innovations in a tangible manner

such as agricultural machinery reservation system Online agricultural product sales platform service It allows farmers to reach consumers without going through middlemen. Solve the problem of price pressure on production and help connect farmers with consumers, industrial plants, or restaurants and allow them to trade continuously.

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One example of a US agricultural technology (AgTech) startup, Local Bounty Group, has raised funds. To be a leader in controlled environment agriculture in line with sustainable development standards (ESGs).

“Local Bauti Group” plans with Leo Holdings III to enhance accessibility to local residents so that everyone can get food. and thoroughly quality agricultural products This includes some areas that previously had no access to quality products.

Recently, "Sarat Ratanavadi", Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited or GULF has invested in Local Baoti Group and in addition, Local Baoti also a strategic partnership with "Cargill" (Cargill,) a leading food and farming in the United States. to assist the Local Bauti Group with a loan of approximately $200 million.    

To accelerate the expansion of indoor farming (Indoor Farming) in strategic locations throughout the US West. To deliver quality produce, fresh, good taste to people in the community along with sustainable agriculture and control carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere to a minimum.