Bangkok: The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) has announced an expansion of its Digital Durian project, opening up 4,000 additional slots for Thai durian farmers to join. The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of digital technology in orchard management to help reduce costs and improve efficiency.
According to Thai News Agency, the project utilizes a platform for managing and monitoring cultivation along with a smart water management system powered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Associate Professor Dr. Nattapol Nimmanpatcharin, Director-General of DEPA, shared that the Digital Durian Project was launched in 2024 with a focus on addressing challenges faced by durian farmers that impact exports. The project integrates digital technology throughout the farming process, from planting to export, ensuring that high-quality durians meet export standards.
Farmers who join the Digital Durian project will benefit from enhanced digital agriculture skills and will have access to the cultivation management platform for two years. Continued use of the platform will also grant them access to an IoT-based smart water management system. The project is aimed at disseminating digital knowledge in agriculture, encouraging a shift from traditional to modern farming methods. DEPA will assist farmers in this digital transition by enabling them to test solutions from Thai digital startups that have received the dSURE mark and are listed in the Thailand Digital Catalog. Additionally, the project will prepare farmers to record carbon footprints and engage in climate change mitigation practices by 2026.
Over the past two years, more than 10,000 durian farmers across 66 provinces have participated in the Digital Durian Project. DEPA anticipates that by 2026, over 14,000 farmers from all 77 provinces in Thailand will be utilizing digital technology. This expansion is expected not only to improve income and reduce expenses for farmers but also to enhance the quality of Thai durian. The data collected will contribute to the most comprehensive Big Data on durian cultivation in Thailand, bolstering the country's competitiveness in the long term.