“Utilising the new theory of agriculture of the late King Rama 9, CAT TELECOM’S CAT Digital Come Together project aims to develop internet of things (IoTs) for agriculture in ways that enhance the livelihood of the nation.”
These days, the internet is continually being developed to meet human needs and wishes. It is widely utilised by businesses to gain success and the agricultural sector is no exception. Now Thai agriculture is being developed along “Smart Farm” lines, using Smart Agriculture 4.0 technology to increase production, at the same time as reducing inequality.
Under the reign of the late King Rama 9, for over 70 years agricultural problems in Thailand have been solved consistently according to His Majesty’s new theory of agriculture. The theory solves agricultural problems while encouraging agricultural development. It stresses implementation of new agricultural techniques, acquisition of land, water management and intelligence about the uncertainties of nature and market fluctuations.
The new theory of agriculture and Internet of things (IoTs)
CAT TELECOM has now launched a project that combines the late king’s theory of agriculture with modern technology, including big data and internet of things (IoTs). The project analyses data for cultivation, including climate notifications and smart sprinkler systems. Called “Precision Agriculture” or “Smart Farmer”, it enables farmers to plan their cultivation ahead, helping them increase productivity and reduce costs of cultivation.
CAT TELECOM launched CAT Learning Center in 2017, setting up knowledge centres in local communities. Then in early 2018, the project was renamed as ‘CAT Digital Come Together’ and brought into full compliance with the ‘Thailand 4.0’ policy and driving social activities. Believing that technology and agriculture can be combined for greater impact, CAT TELECOM also initiated Smart Farmer.
Water is the heart of agriculture
In exploring the needs and problems of farmers, CAT TELECOM found that a major problem of Thai farmers with large plantations concerns their watering systems. Previously, they used human labour to water crops which was time-consuming and back-breaking. Today, smart sprinkler systems enable farmers to reduce watering times and labour costs. Moreover, they have more time to do other things such as other plantation projects, food processing, and creating value-added products.
Free installation
Farmers can control the smart sprinkler system from remote areas via their smartphones using the application and IoTs. They can also forecast harvesting times and check daily temperatures using the IoTs systems. They can also check weather forecasts and humidity levels via the LoRa system. Installation of the value-added services is available free of charge.
Saving money, shortening cultivation time, increasing productivity
CAT TELECOM recently installed a smart sprinkler system at Thetsaban 3 School, Baan Tum Boonsiri, Nakhon Nayok.
Expenditure on water at the school was quite high, so it was a challenge for the school to maintain its vegetable plot which is also used to teach the children, explained senior professional teacher Siriwan Boonleur.
“We were looking for a solution and then we met Pee Jae, a programmer at CAT TELECOM who was working on a sprinkler system. We discussed the problem and hammered out a feasible solution together. Pee Jae came to the school to see the actual plot. It was obvious that using the old technique would result in increasing water expenses. Moreover, it would be risky for students to walk in and water their plants.”
Once the solution had been found, the CAT TELECOM team set up water pipes for an automatic sprinkler system controlled by smartphones. The installation immediately worked well. Teachers and students alike were taught how to operate the system and it is now a well-established labour-saving tool that saves time and cuts costs for the school.”
Knowledge transfer to communities
CAT TELECOM’s programmers transferred knowledge about the smart sprinkler system to students at Thetsaban 3 School. The system includes electronics, an IoTs code writing programme and instructions. Students can apply the knowledge to their family farm and/or use it to support their working life.
“The smart sprinkler system is highly helpful,” said Nong Phupha Sriarwut, Grade 7 student, Thetsaban 3 School, Baan Tum Boonsiri. “We don’t have to walk around to water vegetables like we used to anymore. The automatic sprinkler system checks soil temperature prior to watering the vegetables and we activate sprinklers using our mobile phones.”
Participating in the project
“Farmers who want CAT TELECOM to install a smart sprinkler system can send their request to their nearest CAT TELECOM office. More information is available at FACEBOOK FANPAGE CATE CSR. Once a request is authorised, a CAT TELECOM programmer team will install an IoTs box at the cultivation plot and connect it to the users’ mobile phones. Above all, CAT TELECOM programmers are pleased to serve all Thai farmers.
CAT TELECOM staff are proud to help Thai farmers have a better quality of life. Its programmers with agricultural knowledge are inspired to volunteer to help develop the IoTs system because they see how it ultimately reduces inequality in Thai society
