An exclusive interview forum for media to discuss the topic “Improving Efficiency in Crop Production – “How New Technologies Support Farmers in Modern Crop Production” , organised by VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. and DLG International GmbH (German Agricultural Society – DLG) concluded successfully. Experts from the agriculture industry were invited to the event to share their points of view with the press.
The forum heard there was a shortage of workers in Thailand’s agriculture sector, which still depends on manual labor, but generates the lowest income per person. Many agricultural workers have changed occupation and left the sector completely to secure more stable incomes, and this could develop into a long-term challenge that could affect the production of agricultural products and food in the country.
Thailand is an important producer and exporter of agricultural products and food in the Southeast-Asian region. With its population profile aging quickly, the labor situation is becoming more transparent. There are currently about 7.5 million people aged 65 or more in the country, and this figure is projected to increase to 17 million by 2040, which will represent more than a quarter of the expected population.
Dr. Dares Kittiyopas, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said her department is committed to enhancing and developing farmers’ production capacity – “They will be able to rely on themselves in a sustainable way, have a good quality of life, use technology and innovation and have a stable income. AGRITECHNICA ASIA is very beneficial to the farmers because they can learn the latest innovation and new agricultural machinery that the organizer provide, and they will be ready to step into the new era of agriculture. In the near future, people will use the machines as a main tool, instead of labor, as it is very precise, convenient and helps reducing budget and loss of productivity,” she added.
There is a lot of activity in the agricultural industry throughout the Asian region, especially in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and of course Thailand, with its very diverse market. This has been a key driver for AGCO to take part in AGRITECHNICA ASIA, where it will showcase its latest products and hopes to meet new customers.
Mr. Peter Grothues, Chairman of the Advisory Board of DLG International GmbH, said “AGRITECHNICA ASIA is a forum to gather technologies and innovation on farming machines from across the world, exchange knowledge from international experts in agricultural technologies and share information through seminars and research work.”
“Interesting topics have been selected specially for the Asian region,” he added. “Improving efficiency in crop production is an especially important topic in Southeast Asia, where the demand for agricultural products is rising steadily. The event has the main propose to share the knowledge related to the main discussion topics from the government, research institute and leading companies, how the smart farming technology can support the farmers in Southeast Asia, and especially in Thailand.”
