DTAC Smart Farmer

Implemented by Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (DTAC), the Smart Farmer initiative strengthens Thai farmers through innovations and digital technology. With major focus on Cherry Melon Tomato and Coco Melon Farms, it helps farmers, particulalrly the young farmers, to move forward and become Farmers 4.0 and assume their position as the backbone of the country’s economic development with the help of SMS advisories, mobile apps, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data and Machine Learning. It uses sensors distributed on the farm to measure soil and air moisture, temperature and light, then processes the data and sends it to the app in real time, so that farmers can closely monitor the farm, quickly resolve problems and plan their cultivation more efficiently. It also helps in efficient fertilizer and water management. The initiative is now in its 10th year and achieved some tangible impacts including providing commercial agriculture training to 20,000 small farmers in 7 provinces in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The initiative also enabled farmers to acquire knowledge and skills in accessing target customers and setting reasonable prices. According to a survey, participating small farmers were able to increase their income by 25% after starting online marketing.

Lead (category)

Private company

Name of initiative lead (and partners)

Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (DTAC)

Categories of Digital initiative deliverables

Specific ICT technology product and/or service delivery

ICT products/solutions and services by category

Digital Agriculture

Non ICT products and services (deliverables)

Traning and capcity building on farming and farming practices.

Business and governance structure

Being implemented by Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (commonly known as DTAC) which is a GSM mobile phone company in Thailand. It also partners with Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

DI ICT-deliverables format

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Internet of Things / Sensors

Precision agriculture

Primary stakeholders (beneficiaries, actors, enablers)

Farmers

General public/rural areas populations

Youth networks

Size, scale or scope of primary stakeholders

Digital Initiative development Stage

Fully operational - Growing and expanding stage

Measurable impacts on primary stakeholders and target beneficiaries

Initiative geographic scope (or coverage) (national, regional, sector specific, specific user co-horts etc)

National

All over Thailand

On-line resource links (Web-page links, links to videos, links to reports, etc)

Main DI webpage

Other useful link

Other useful link

Link to Digital village

Link to Digital solution