ส.อ.ท. จับมือ ม.มหิดล ลงนามความร่วมมือ ดันเกษตรอัจฉริยะ โครงการ SAIFTI Collaborates with Mahidol University to Sign MoU for Smart Agriculture Industry Project (SAI)

Today (April 1, 2025), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and Mahidol University jointly signed a memorandum of cooperation for the “Smart Agriculture Industry (SAI) Innovation Project for Learning and Nurturing Smart Agriculture Approaches.” The event was honored by Mr. Krianhkray Thianukool, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and Professor Dr. Piyamitr Aisara, President of Mahidol University, who explained the background of the collaboration on the SAI project at the Siriruckhachati Nature Science Park, Mahidol University, Salaya.

Mr. Krianhkray Thianukool, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated that the FTI recognizes the importance of agricultural development in the country, understanding that Thailand has high biodiversity which can be leveraged from a rich natural resource base into economic benefits, especially through the value addition of Thai agricultural products by applying technology and innovation across the entire production supply chain, from the planting process to transportation, processing, extraction of essential substances, as well as sales and marketing development. Thus, the concept emerged to develop the “Smart Agriculture Industry (SAI) Innovation Project for Learning and Nurturing Smart Agriculture Approaches.”

“In implementing this project, the FTI will manage the Sandbox area within the Siriruckhachati Nature Science Park, Mahidol University, Salaya, for testing and demonstrating the value addition of agricultural products through the alignment of consumer demands and high-value processing industries, along with the integration of modern agricultural technology to serve as a model for scaling up and transferring knowledge under the concept of One Province One Industry to farmers across the country, covering all 5 regions, 18 provincial clusters, and 76 provincial industrial councils. This will create mechanisms for collaboration among farmers, the industrial sector, the government, research institutions, and all stakeholders in the production chain in the area to lead to the restructuring of agricultural product production for high value in accordance with the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economic model and the emergence of efficient agricultural business models that meet standards and drive sustainability,” added Mr. Krianhkray.

Professor Dr. Piyamitr Aisara, President of Mahidol University, stated that this project serves as a model learning resource and incubator for smart agricultural approaches that utilize innovation and technology to enhance the value of agricultural products, following the BCG economic model for entrepreneurs. The area of the Siriruckhachati Nature Science Park of Mahidol University will be used as a Sandbox for comprehensive testing and demonstration of agricultural product value addition, representing a long-term collaboration model between the university and the industrial sector in terms of research, academics, technology and innovation development, and the sustainable innovation ecosystem. The university is ready to support research knowledge and academic advancement, technology transfer, and foster collaborative research and innovation development between the university and the network of private sector entrepreneurs while promoting the utilization of the university's research and innovation infrastructure to create mechanisms for commercializing technology and innovation.

“The signing of the MOU today is a positive signal and another step forward in promoting cooperation for the development of the Salaya area to support collaborative research and innovation development between the university and the network of entrepreneurs and partners of the FTI, which will enhance the competitive capabilities of SMEs by integrating knowledge and fostering shared learning between the university and the FTI,” concluded Professor Dr. Piyamitr.

During the event, there were showcases of various products and services from the Federation of Thai Industries at 5 booths, including the Smart Agriculture Industry (SAI) Promotion Project, the Innovation Institute for Industry, the Innovation ONE Fund Project, FTI Academy, and FTI Service. Additionally, Mahidol University presented 10 booths with participation from various entities within the university, including Kanchanaburi Campus, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Science, Chakkri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, the Institute of Technology and Innovation Management, and the project to establish the Siriruckhachati Nature Science Park. The Institute of Technology and Innovation Management provided support in coordinating various entities for this booth collaboration.

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Respectfully,
Corporate Communication Department, FTI
Tel. 0-2345-1051