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Amid global economic volatility and the risks posed by climate change, the agricultural and food sectors are once again becoming a strategic foundation of security for ASEAN member states. For Thailand, where agriculture continues to play an important role in employment, rural income generation, and food exports, the key question is not only whether the country can maintain its capacity to produce food, but how it can upgrade the agricultural sector to remain competitive in a sustainable manner in the digital era.
At the regional level, improving agricultural competitiveness is closely linked to ASEAN food security. Food security does not refer only to sufficient food production at the national level, but to the capacity of the region as a whole to ensure continuous access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food for its population. In the context of climate change risks, economic volatility, and pressure from global trade rules, ASEAN’s food system must be resilient, well connected, and able to adapt. Food is not only a basic necessity of life but also a shared foundation of long-term regional security.
A recent study by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), titled Digitalization in Agriculture and Food Systems in ASEAN: Pathways to Its Resilience and Sustainability, clearly indicates that digital technology is becoming a key mechanism in transforming ASEAN’s agricultural and food systems. This includes improving productivity, reducing costs, and increasing supply chain resilience. Survey results from eight member states, including Thailand, show that digital technology use is becoming more widespread, driven mainly by economic incentives, but remains at a basic level.
For Thailand, these findings are consistent with current realities in the agricultural sector. Many farmers use smartphones as their main tool to access information. Applications are used for farming advice, digital payment systems, and online marketplaces. Digital technology has helped reduce transaction costs, expand marketing channels, and connect farmers directly to markets. However, the adoption of advanced technologies, such as full supply chain traceability systems, big data management, and precision agriculture, remains limited.
Thailand’s key weaknesses are similar to those of many ASEAN countries. These include high investment costs for technology, limited digital skills among small-scale farmers, and uneven digital infrastructure in rural areas. Although Thailand has policies on smart agriculture and the digital economy, policy implementation at the local level remains fragmented, and systematic data linkage among government agencies is still lacking.
One notable point from the ERIA study is that environmental concerns and climate change adaptation are not yet the main drivers of digital technology adoption in ASEAN agriculture, including in Thailand. This finding highlights an important policy challenge. In international trade, environmental and sustainability measures, such as traceability and carbon footprint requirements, are becoming new market conditions. If Thailand does not accelerate the use of digital tools to meet these standards, the long-term competitiveness of Thai agricultural products may be weakened.
Digital agriculture should not be viewed only as a tool to increase productivity, but as a new form of infrastructure for national food security and trade. Investment in rural internet networks, integrated agricultural data systems, and digital skills development for farmers should not be seen as a budgetary burden, but as an investment in the country’s future competitiveness.
The role of the Thai government is therefore critical, as a policy direction setter, an infrastructure investor, and a provider of financial mechanisms that support small-scale farmers. The study indicates that flexible credit schemes, blended public–private support, and cooperation with technology startups can help reduce access costs and expand technology adoption more broadly.
At the regional level, Thailand also has the opportunity to use ASEAN as a strategic platform. By aligning Thailand’s digital agriculture policies with ASEAN cooperation frameworks, the country can strengthen its role as a contributor to shaping the development of a sustainable regional food system.
Digital agriculture is not a solution to all problems, but it is a powerful tool. If Thailand can design policies that systematically link the economy, technology, and sustainability, its agricultural sector will not only survive global uncertainty but also strengthen Thailand’s long-term position as a center of quality food in ASEAN.
Author:
Mr. Wimon Punkong
Deputy Executive Director (Academic)
International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD)
www.itd.or.th
Publication: Bangkok BIZ Newspaper
Section: First Section/World Beat
Volume: 39 Issue: 13076
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026
Page: 8 (left)
Column: “Asean Insight”
