NIA's AGROWTH Platform: Boosting Deep-Tech Thai Agricultural Startups with AI, Robotics, and Biotech
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) of Thailand has launched a new platform called AGROWTH to support agricultural startups focusing on deep technology, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology.
With an investment of over 1.7 trillion baht in the agri-tech industry, NIA aims to foster partnerships between startups and major farming businesses.
Currently, there are around 81 agricultural startups in Thailand, with fewer than 15 utilizing deep technology.
The AGROWTH project is accepting applications from startups that can develop innovative products or services, test their technology in real-world agricultural settings, and collaborate with leading agriculture sector companies.
Thai agricultural startups have raised approximately 2.5 billion baht in investments, indicating a steady growth.
Three deep technology trends are worth noting for future startups: Artificial Intelligence (AI), which can optimize water and fertilizer usage, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and grow to around 1.55 trillion baht by 2028.
Easy Rice is one Thai startup that uses AI systems to inspect rice variety and grain quality.
An AI technology has assessed over 6 million tonnes of rice, and its usage is expanding to rice growers in neighboring countries like Cambodia and Vietnam.