AGRITECHNICA ASIA highlights smart farming

The AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HORTI ASIA 2022 trade fairs, held in Bangkok/Thailand, concluded successfully, having attracted 8,326 expert participants from 59 countries, including Vietnam, this year’s partner country. Exhibitors welcomed the high international participation which underlined the trade fairs’ leading agricultural machinery role in Southeast Asia.

In addition, during the three exhibition days, from the 25^th-27^th May, around 100 presentation events were held on topics such as sustainable rice production as well as vertical and smart farming. Many sessions were held in hybrid format. Attended by 4,326 onsite attendees and 2,881 online visitors, part of the conference programme was co-hosted by the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC).

Eager to meet the equipment needs of farmers in the South-East Asian region, exhibitors had handpicked for display their selection of compatible products and services, which they believe will contribute to raising the level of agricultural production in this region. Attendees to its largest trade exhibitions for smart agriculture and horticulture production comprised trade visitors and farmers as well as 350 large-scale buyers from Asia-Pacific countries taking part in an exclusive invitation programme. 

More than 250 brands from 26 countries presented solutions for Southeast Asian markets, with companies from Thailand, India, Germany, Italy, China and Vietnam, among others. 

“Smart farming solutions like drone and satellite technology, automation and robotics are just some of the equipment that is expected to support Thailand’s sustainability plans. The trade fair plays an important role in this respect,” said Vanida Khumnirdpetch, Director of MOAC’s Bureau of Foreign Agricultural Affairs, just ahead of the opening of AGRITECHNICA ASIA.

Access to both the right equipment and the right quality is fundamental to modern farming. At this year’s AGRITECHNICA ASIA, the exhibitors had the opportunity to get touch with astute buyers from large-scale farms all over the region. “Engaging with these farmers in dialogues has also been a mutual enrichment that could even result in new solutions,” commented Anil Menon, Managing Director of CLAAS Regional Center South East Asia. 

Technical conference programme explores topics in-depth
 

 Alongside the exhibitor displays including tractors, harvesters and drones, the conference programme, with its nearly 100 sessions, invited visitors to explore other topics in-depth, such as cannabis and sustainable rice production as well as vertical and smart farming, the latter hosted by MOAC. Young farmers shared their agricultural practices in smart farming and their vision for the next generation of farmers in Thailand.

Conference highlights included “Thailand Cane and Sugar Industries after Covid-19”, “Mechanization, Postharvest and Smart Farming for Sustainable Rice Production” and “Development of Smart Industrial Agriculture Technology in Thailand”.

The Asia Pacific Trading Summit on the 26^th May was organised by the German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and DLG (the German Agricultural Society). The conference facilitated networking and knowledge sharing on markets, technology and after-sales service for agricultural machinery manufacturers and dealers.

Invited by Thailand’s Department of Agricultural Extension, smart farmer groups took part in an exclusive programme, accommodating their need for knowledge in smart farming solutions, including efficient water management or post-harvest solutions.

The next AGRITECHNICA ASIA & HORTI ASIA will be held on the 22^nd -24^th May 2024, in the BITEC fairgrounds in Bangkok.

(DLG-international/wi)