thailand and Nestlé collaborate to Develop Smart Farmers and Boost Agricultural Investment
At the World Economic forum Annual Meeting 2025 (WEF AM25), Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Thailand’s Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, engaged in a pivotal discussion with Ms. Paetongthan Shinawatra, Thailand’s Prime Minister, and mr. Remy Ejel, Nestlé’s Chief Executive Officer for Asia, Oceania, and Africa. The meeting focused on advancing modern agriculture and fostering smart farmers in Thailand, with Nestlé playing a key role in this conversion.
Thailand has called on Nestlé to support its farmers by integrating research and development and applying new technologies and innovations to enhance agricultural productivity. This initiative aims to reduce costs, minimize environmental impacts, and promote enduring agriculture, particularly in the dairy industry and high-value food processing. The collaboration also aligns with Thailand’s broader goal of attracting private sector investment, bolstered by the Thai FTA - EFTA Free Trade Agreement.
Nestlé has demonstrated its commitment to Thailand’s agricultural sector, particularly in the coffee industry.Between 2018 and 2024, the company invested over 22,800 million baht to expand production lines for products like coffee, UHT beverages, and animal feed. In 2025, Nestlé plans to further invest in its Nescafé production factory and support Thai farmers in expanding coffee cultivation areas.
“Nestlé has supported Thai farmers for over 40 years, providing knowledge about coffee cultivation and purchasing coffee beans at fair prices,” said Prof. Dr. Narumon. The company’s efforts aim to create sustainable growth for Thailand’s coffee industry, which is in high demand globally.
With nine production plants in Thailand,Nestlé continues to produce beloved brands like Nescafé,milo,and Bear Brand milk. This collaboration underscores Thailand’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector into a hub of innovation and sustainability.
Key Highlights of the collaboration
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Focus Areas | Modern agriculture, smart farmers, sustainable growth, coffee industry |
| Nestlé’s Investment | Over 22,800 million baht (2018-2024) |
| Future Plans | Expansion of Nescafé production, support for coffee farmers |
| Thailand’s Goals | reduced costs, minimized environmental impact, private sector investment |
This partnership marks a notable step toward Thailand’s vision of becoming a leader in sustainable agriculture and smart farming.
Headline:
Revolutionizing Thai Agriculture: A Conversation wiht Dr. Ploychompoo Saengnak, AgriTech Specialist, on Thailand and Nestlé’s Smart Farming Initiative
Introduction:
Join us as we delve into the groundbreaking collaboration between Thailand and Nestlé to advance modern agriculture and foster smart farmers in the land of Smiles. We sit down with Dr. Ploychompoo Saengnak, an esteemed AgriTech specialist, to discuss the implications and prospects of this innovative partnership that aims to transform Thailand’s agricultural sector into a sustainable and technologically advanced hub.
1. Thailand’s Vision for Modern Agriculture and Smart Farmers
Q: Dr. Saengnak, could you share your thoughts on Thailand’s vision for modern agriculture and the role of smart farmers in achieving this vision?
A: Certainly! Thailand’s vision for modern agriculture is centered around sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.The country aspires to create a robust agricultural sector that can withstand global challenges while contributing to the economy’s growth. Smart farmers, armed with digital literacy and technological prowess, play a pivotal role in realizing this vision. They can make data-driven decisions, optimize resource use, and adopt climate-smart practices, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience.
2. Nestlé’s Role in Thailand’s agricultural Change
Q: Nestlé has been invited to play a key role in this transformation. How do you see the company’s involvement shaping Thailand’s agricultural landscape?
A: Nestlé’s involvement is a significant boon for Thailand’s agricultural sector. With its extensive global experience and considerable investment in Thailand, the company brings invaluable expertise in research and advancement, new technologies, and high-value food processing.By integrating these strengths, Nestlé can definitely help reduce costs, minimize environmental impacts, and promote enduring agriculture, particularly in the dairy industry and high-value food processing. Moreover, Nestlé’s commitment to supporting thai farmers, as demonstrated in the coffee industry, fosters sustainable growth and empowers local producers.
3. Investing in Thailand’s Agricultural Future
Q: Nestlé has already invested over 22,800 million baht between 2018 and 2024.What are the company’s future plans, and how do they align with Thailand’s broader goals?
A: Nestlé’s future plans in Thailand are aligned with the country’s broader goals of attracting private sector investment and boosting agricultural productivity.The company plans to invest further in its Nescafé production factory and support Thai coffee farmers in expanding cultivation areas. These plans not only bolster the coffee industry’s high global demand but also create a multiplier affect, generating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth. Additionally, these investments reinforce Thailand’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector into an innovative and sustainable hub.
4. Challenges and Opportunities in Smart Farming
Q: While the potential of smart farming is immense, what challenges do you foresee, and how can they be addressed?
A: Smart farming, while promising, is not without its challenges. Access to affordable technology, digital literacy among farmers, and reliable internet connectivity are some of the hurdles. To address these, Thailand and Nestlé can collaborate on capacity-building programs to enhance farmers’ digital skills, develop user-pleasant technologies, and invest in infrastructure to ensure connectivity, especially in rural areas. Public-private partnerships, such as the one between Thailand and Nestlé, are crucial in overcoming these challenges and unlocking the full potential of smart farming.
5. Thailand’s Path Towards Sustainable Agriculture
Q: lastly, how do you see Thailand’s path towards sustainable agriculture evolving in the coming years, given this partnership and other initiatives?
A: With this strategic partnership and other supportive initiatives, Thailand is well on its way to becoming a leader in sustainable agriculture and smart farming. the country’s commitment to reducing costs, minimizing environmental impacts, and attracting private sector investment, coupled with Nestlé’s expertise and resources, creates a powerful synergy. In the coming years, we can expect to see more Thai farmers adopting modern practices, more private sector investments in agri-tech, and a more robust, sustainable, and innovative agricultural sector contributing to thailand’s overall economic growth and development.
