Deputy Agriculture Minister Piyaratch visited Sukhothai to inaugurate the "Agri-Innovation Forum 2026," a forum promoting innovation to develop a new generation of Smart Farmers by linking innovation, capital, and markets toward future agricultural entrepreneurs.
On 12 September 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Piyaratch Tiyapairat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over the opening ceremony of the "Innovation Forum to Foster a New Generation of Smart Farmers: Agri-Innovation Forum" at Sukhothai Wittayakom School, Mueang Sukhothai District, Sukhothai Province.
On this occasion, Ms. Natthida Thepsuthin, party-list Member of Parliament, Ms. Naknang Kulnathsiri, Sukhothai MP for Constituency 1, Mr. Chusak Keerimasthong, MP for Constituency 2, Ms. Praphaporn Thongpaknam, MP for Constituency 3, and Mr. Somjet Limpapan, MP for Constituency 4, also participated. They were joined by Mrs. Anchalee Suwajittanon, Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Mr. Prut Sirikosol, Governor of Sukhothai, government executives, representatives of partner agencies, as well as Smart Farmers and Young Smart Farmers attending the event.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Piyaratch Tiyapairat said after presiding over the opening ceremony that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives prioritizes upgrading the agricultural sector to strengthen farmers’ income and competitiveness. Today’s farmer development must keep pace with changes in technology, innovation, economy, society, climate, and market demands. Therefore, she has assigned the Department of Agricultural Extension to develop Smart Farmers and Young Smart Farmers with knowledge, skills, and abilities to apply technology and innovation alongside managing agricultural business to advance their careers, increase income, and create real business opportunities.
She added that the ministry integrates cooperation with all partners, including government, private sector, educational institutions, financial institutions, and science, technology, and innovation agencies, to jointly drive and enhance Thai farmers’ capacity to adapt and grow amid agricultural sector changes. The goal is for farmers to access knowledge, technology, funding, and markets, progressing toward becoming modern agricultural entrepreneurs who add value, reduce costs, and sustainably improve competitiveness, aligning with the project’s operational framework.
"Developing the new generation of Smart Farmers aims not only to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills but also to create mechanisms connecting them with essential opportunities for career development, including technology, innovation, funding, markets, and partner networks. Thus, the Agri-Innovation Forum serves as a vital platform linking knowledge to business opportunities, enabling farmers to apply and expand what they learn in practice," she explained.
Mrs. Anchalee Suwajittanon, Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, added that this event focuses on transforming Smart Farmers and Young Smart Farmers from "knowledgeable producers" into "modern agricultural entrepreneurs" who can use technology, innovation, and business management to improve production efficiency, reduce costs, add value, and systematically connect to markets. Simultaneously, it seeks to build a network of new Smart Farmers as a key mechanism for exchanging knowledge, transferring innovation, and expanding its impact to farmers in local areas.
The event features key activities including an exhibition of sustainable agricultural technology and innovations showcasing technologies applicable to agricultural development; a Young Smart Farmer Idol Showcase with six participants sharing experiences and ideas of new-generation farmers; and displays of high-value agricultural products from various regions to provide farmers a platform to present products, raise awareness, and link to market opportunities.
Additionally, there is the Smart Farmer Forum, a platform for exchanging experiences, agricultural business development concepts, and applications of technology and innovation. The Agri Business Matching activity connects partners to create agricultural business opportunities along the value chain through three key zones: Technology Connect Zone linking technology to enhance production efficiency; Finance Connect Zone connecting farmers with funding sources and investment; and Market Connect Zone linking farmers to market opportunities.
The Department of Agricultural Extension expects the Agri-Innovation Forum to be more than a learning exchange platform; it aims to be a space connecting farmers with technology, funding, markets, and partners who can collaboratively develop businesses. This will enable farmers to expand knowledge and innovations locally, build a strong new generation Smart Farmer network, and become a crucial force driving Thailand’s agricultural sector toward stability, income growth, competitiveness, and sustainable development.