AGRI-TECH Demo Day 2026: A Collaborative Model for Advancing Sustainable Agricultural Transformation

The first Thai AGRI-TECH Demo Day 2026 was successfully held on April 2, 2026 at the National Maize and Sorghum Research Center (Rai Suwan) of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University. It was co-organized by the German-Thai Agricultural Cooperation (GETHAC) Project, Thailand’s Department of Agricultural Extension (DoAE), the Department of Farm Mechanics of Kasetsart University and DLG Markets Asia Pacific

The Highlights of the event:

·     29 international and national companies presented modern agricultural machinery and equipment, agricultural drones and smart water management systems (IoT) at Live Field Demonstrations to

·     over 400 young smart farmers, Cluster farmers and other farmers and

·     over 30 agricultural service providers.

The exhibition and business matching event organized for leading innovative providers of modern agricultural technology created ample networking opportunities for the providers farmers and researchers.

Enhancing Productivity, Reducing Costs, and Supporting Sustainability

The objective of the organizers of the event was to provide a live demonstration of modern agricultural technology to Thai farmers that addresses key challenges they are facing like rising labor and input costs, resource inefficiency, and rising environmental challenges. The adoption of mechanization and technologies can create clear potential for thai farmers to:

·       Increase productivity through improved operational efficiency,

·       Reduce production costs, particularly for labor and inputs,

·       Minimize environmental impacts through precision application of inputs

These outcomes are directly aligned with broader goals of promoting sustainable agriculture and food security of the Thai Government. By enabling farmers to produce more with fewer resources, such innovations contribute to resilient food systems while supporting rural livelihoods.

Demonstrating Technology in Real Conditions

This event offered participants to closely observe technologies under real field conditions for various crops such as rice, cassava, sugarcane, corn, peanuts, sorghum and others. Demonstrations included advanced machinery for land preparation and harvesting, precision seedling, crop management, and post-harvest handling, as well as digital tools supporting farm decision-making. Farmers and service providers were able to directly assess the performance, usability, and cost-efficiency of technologies, while companies received immediate feedback from end-users and potential buyers.

Promoting International Innovation with Local Relevance

The event provided a platform for not only German and International manufacturers and companies, but also for local exhibitors. This open and inclusive approach ensured that technologies and machinery presented were not only innovative but also relevant and adaptable to local conditions in Thailand and Southeast Asian region. The integration of international expertise with local knowledge is critical for ensuring successful adoption. It also reinforces the role of international cooperation in fostering innovation ecosystems that are both globally informed and locally grounded.

The Role of Strategic Collaboration

A key strength of the AGRI-TECH Demo Day 2026 was its partnership-driven approach, bringing together stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. Participants included technology providers, universities and research institutions, cluster farmers with smart and young smart farmers, service providers, government agencies, as well as associations, NGOs, and development projects.

This integrated platform enabled direct interaction between technology suppliers and end-users, creating a dynamic environment where supply and demand could meet efficiently. Farmers were able to explore practical innovations suited to their needs, while companies engaged with targeted potential clients and partners. Such collaboration is essential not only for effective implementation, but also for attracting wider interest from media, policymakers, and the public, thereby amplifying overall impact.

A Scalable Model for Advancing Modern Technologies and Machinery

The Field-based demonstration of the AGRI-TECH Demo Day 2026, the interactive engagement and integration of international and local companies are key factors which made this event unlike other before. It demonstrates a practical and effective model for the promotion of modern agricultural technology that in the future may be replicated as well in other areas of Thailand.