Bangkok, Thailand – The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) is spearheading the launch of the ‘One Tambon One Digital’ or OTOD Digital Durian project. This initiative aims to empower Thai durian farmers by integrating digital technology to address debt issues, generate income, and elevate Thai durian standards to an international level, thereby driving the nation towards a digital economy in line with government policies.
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Mr. Pantanu Wannagangsai, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, stated that the OTOD Digital Durian project is a response to the government’s policy, which seeks to accelerate the creation of economic opportunities and equality. This will be achieved by tackling debt, reducing expenses, and increasing revenue through the introduction of digital technology to modernize traditional agricultural practices, under the concept of ‘Market-led, Innovation-driven, Income-generating.’ This approach aims to enhance agricultural professions and related occupations, foster agricultural stability, seize new market opportunities, meet global demands, and uplift farmers’ incomes.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), highlighted that the OTOD Digital Durian project will encourage over 6,100 durian farmers to utilize digital platforms for data recording and traceability in durian cultivation. This initiative will facilitate the collection of agricultural Big Data, particularly for durian, while also enhancing knowledge of e-commerce and the process for obtaining Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification among more than 12,000 farmers.
The project will span two years (2024-2025) with an estimated budget of 90 million baht. It will involve collaboration with Thai digital startups listed in the Digital Service Registry and awarded the dSURE standard certification to develop a National Agriculture Platform. This platform will have five key features:
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Farm Information
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Farm Management
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GAP Management
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Farm Market Place
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Farm Community
Furthermore, there will be upskilling programs for over 12,000 farmers in Big Data & GAP and 1,100 farmers in E-Commerce. This aims to promote online sales through e-commerce platforms and facilitate government services by linking cultivation data with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, such as in the application for GAP and GMP certifications, and in updating farmer registration data.
depa expressed confidence that the OTOD Digital Durian project will elevate the Thai durian industry, enabling farmers to access information, knowledge, and technology more readily. This will enhance their competitiveness, reduce costs, increase productivity, and generate higher incomes. Moreover, it will help mitigate issues such as the harvesting of immature durians, the misrepresentation of durian origins, and the smuggling of durians from neighboring countries, thereby preserving the quality and standards of Thai durian in the global market. This is particularly crucial for the Chinese market, which is the main importer of Thai durians. However, with China now cultivating its own durians, imports from Thailand have decreased.
OTOD Digital Durian: Revolutionizing the Thai Durian Industry Towards Smart Agriculture
Durian, the king of Thai fruits, is fully embracing the digital era! The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) is driving the ‘One Tambon One Digital’ or OTOD Digital Durian project, aiming to revolutionize the Thai agricultural sector. By harnessing digital technology, the project seeks to elevate cultivation practices, create added value, and address challenges faced by durian farmers.
Why Digital Durian?
In an era of intensifying trade competition, Thai farmers must adapt to enhance their competitiveness. The OTOD Digital Durian project assists farmers in several ways:
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Reducing Costs and Increasing Productivity: Digital platforms help farmers plan production, manage costs, and control product quality effectively.
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Elevating Standards: The platform incorporates a GAP data management system, enabling farmers to meet international standards and increase export opportunities.
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Expanding Market Channels: The platform links farmers with online markets, facilitating sales channels and direct access to consumers.
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Building Networks: The platform serves as a hub for exchanging information, knowledge, and cultivation techniques, fostering farmer networks.
How OTOD Digital Durian Works
The core of the project is the National Agriculture Platform, developed by Thai digital startups, with five key features:
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Farm Information: Records basic farmer information, including personal data, farm registration, location maps, cultivated areas, and crop types.
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Farm Management: Assists in planning and managing cultivation, such as production planning, harvest planning, cost management, input management, and maintenance records like watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control.
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GAP Management: Helps manage GAP certification data, including recording farm activities, data analysis, and storing GAP certificates.
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Farm Market Place: Provides an online marketplace, enabling farmers to sell products conveniently, quickly, and reach more consumers.
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Farm Community: Serves as a space for knowledge exchange, sharing news, information, and cultivation techniques.
Who Benefits?
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Farmers: Reduce costs, increase productivity, improve quality, and sell products at better prices.
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Consumers: Access to high-quality, standardized durian.
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Thailand: Enhances the durian industry, adds value, and maintains global market share.
Durian farmers interested in joining the One Tambon One Digital (OTOD) Digital Durian project can inquire for more details at Facebook Page: depa Thailand, Line OA: @depathailand, or depa’s head office and branches nationwide. The application process is open from now onwards.
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