Thailand and Korea strengthen partnership on Smart Farming and food security

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit (สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ), welcomed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Thailand, Mr. Park Yongmin (พัก ยงมิน), to discuss and exchange views on agricultural cooperation, trade parrtnership, knowledge exchange, academic collaboration, and food security between the two countries. The goal was to not only deepen the bilateral ties between Thailand and Korea, but also push the agriculture sector of both nations toward sustainable growth.

On this occasion, both sides agreed on the importance of enhancing agricultural sector’s technology to adapt to global challenges, especially climate change, economic instability, geopolitical conflicts, and food insecurity. Both sides suggested the application of technology and innovation for sustainable development to drive the agricultural sector in three main areas: 1) the integration of Smart Farming, AI, IoT (Internet of things) 2) joint researches and the use of seaweed in the fisheries and environmental sectors to address climate change, as well as 3) digital infrastructure and business reform of Thai agricultural cooperatives.

In addition, both sides plan to drive the agricultural cooperation mechanism between Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The Thai side affirmed its readiness to host the Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) meeting in 2027 as a platform to promote academic collaboration and sustainable development of the agriculture sector. Both countries also aim to launch the agricultural product markets in the future.