What to plant? When to plant? How to increase productivity? The Thai government has come up with a solution for farmers.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Akkanti recently stated that the country intends to adopt the 'Indian model' to introduce small-scale AI applications in agriculture, aiming to use this tool to address the problem of severe fluctuations in agricultural product prices and stabilize farmers' incomes.
When it comes to AI, many people think of large general-purpose models with a huge number of parameters. Such models typically consume a lot of computing power and have high requirements for networks and terminal devices. It is difficult to directly apply them to rural areas where conditions are limited.
"Small-sized AI" refers to artificial intelligence tools designed for specific scenarios, with relatively lower development costs and a low entry barrier. They do not necessarily require high-performance equipment, and can also provide services tailored to local needs.
After the 2026 annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, Akaniti stated that Thailand plans to implement small-scale AI in agriculture in order to increase agricultural productivity and improve the living standards of farmers.
He revealed that Thailand is studying the 'Indian model', which relies on small-scale AI to address agricultural challenges and stabilize fluctuations in agricultural product prices. This system can provide farmers with data analysis and guidance, such as recommending appropriate planting windows and fertilization plans, or using mobile photography to identify crop diseases, helping farmers achieve better production outcomes.
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Akkarni in The Bangkok Business Newspaper
During the annual meeting, Ekani and India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held talks. According to the Thai newspaper Bangkok Post, India is interested in Thailand's AI applications for small and micro merchants, while Thailand hopes to learn from India's experience in using AI in agriculture. Both sides are expected to exchange knowledge and innovative achievements to jointly improve farmers' livelihoods.
In fact, the World Bank has previously called for the prioritization of small AI models in developing countries. These models support operation at the edge and can still be used in areas with poor internet connectivity.
World Bank President Ajay Banga said that people always worry about machines taking jobs, but for developing countries with a large labor force, small AI devices will not only not reduce employment, but will instead improve labor efficiency, expand livelihood opportunities, and create new jobs.
In his view, reducing AI technology and making it suitable for local use allows ordinary people to use their phones directly. This can help small and micro merchants as well as farmers reduce costs and increase income, integrating into economic development. This is also the key to creating sustainable employment in the digital age.
India has already tried using AI in agricultural production and rural public services in several regions.
This country and the World Bank use digital platforms to connect scattered small farmers and agricultural cooperatives, enabling the procurement of agricultural materials, agricultural insurance, credit services, and sales channels for agricultural products. The biggest advantage of this approach is that it has low hardware requirements; ordinary 3G mobile phones can be used, eliminating the need for high-end equipment and stable broadband connections.
Many illiterate female farmers do not need to remember complex disease names or specialized agricultural terms. They simply take photos of the diseased leaves with their mobile phones, and local, lightweight AI can identify the diseases and recommend corresponding treatment plans. Once the digital payment system is in place, farmers can confirm the orders, and pesticides can be delivered to their doorsteps for a price of 25 rupees.
