**November 12, 2024, Bangkok** – depa (Digital Economy Promotion Agency) is advancing its mission to empower Thai farmers by encouraging the adoption of digital technology to enhance agricultural productivity. The agency officially launched the **“One Subdistrict, One Digital (OTOD) – Digital Durian”** project, which promotes the use of digital platforms via agricultural applications. These platforms allow farmers to **record, store, and trace cultivation data**, helping build trust among consumers in both domestic and international markets.

The initiative aims to **elevate high-value agricultural products to global markets** while also developing the skills and potential of Thai farmers, moving toward a future of **sustainable smart agriculture**.

Mr. Phanthanu Wannakangsai, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), revealed that under the national digital economy development policy — a key strategic priority of the country — the government, led by Prime Minister Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is deeply aware of the pressing hardships faced by citizens. These include issues related to debt, income, cost of living, and social security and safety, all of which are urgent and require immediate attention.

The government is committed to addressing these challenges, which directly impact social stability, by creating economic opportunities and promoting equity. This will be achieved through debt resolution, cost reduction, and income generation, ultimately driving economic stimulation and sustainable growth.

"The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) has responded promptly to the government’s policy by accelerating efforts to create economic opportunities and equity," said the Advisor to the Minister of MDES.

"Our key objective is to transform traditional agriculture into modern, technology-driven farming through the concept: **'Market-Driven, Innovation-Enhanced, Income-Boosted.'** This involves leveraging **agricultural technology (Agri-Tech)** to develop both core and related agricultural professions, aiming to strengthen agricultural security, seize opportunities in emerging markets, meet global market demands, and rapidly increase the value and prices of agricultural products. Ultimately, this will raise the income levels of Thai farmers."

**Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natthaphon Nimmanphatcharin**, President & CEO of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), stated that the **“One Subdistrict, One Digital (OTOD) – Digital Durian”** project aims to encourage more than **6,000 durian farmers** to adopt digital platforms for recording and tracing durian cultivation data over a two-year period. This initiative will support the creation of a **comprehensive agricultural Big Data system**, particularly focused on durian.

In addition, the project will enhance farmers’ knowledge in **e-commerce** and assist **over 12,000 farmers** across **23 provinces** in obtaining **Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)** certification. The project also supports the development of a **National Agriculture Platform** to serve as a unified digital infrastructure for the agricultural sector in Thailand.