ASEAN’s largest all-in-one agribusiness exhibition held in Thailand

Visitors at a booth for Alex’s Organic Nutrition Food for Animals Company at SIMA ASEAN 2017 in Thailand. — VNS Photo

This year, the exhibition focuses on the latest innovations in agricultural machinery, with the aim of improving Thai agro-industry to reach the Agriculture 4.0 era. Agriculture 4.0 refers to farming practices that make use of digital technology to increase sustainability and productivity.

In addition to machinery displays, the exhibition offers seminars to support the education of farmers. The event drew more than 300 exhibitors from many countries, including China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey and Việt Nam.

SIMA’s exhibitors showcased a comprehensive range of products and services, such as tractors; spare parts and accessories; embedded electronics; tilling, sowing, planting, harvesting and post-harvest equipment; equipment for tropical and special crops; livestock handling, transportation, storage and breeding equipment; renewable energy; consultancy; management and software.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Suwit Chaikiattiyos, director general of the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, said, “We hope that this event will be a platform to exchange ideas and the latest technology, leading to rapid industrial development, an increase of leverage in negotiations for farmers, and a higher capability of Thai agribusiness in the highly competitive international market.”

Jean-Hugues, Key Account Manager at SIMA – SITEVI, told Việt Nam Newsthat they are working to attract international companies to bring new materials and technologies that could be applied in the Southeast Asian region and Thailand.

“SIMA can help farmers to develop their production and to increase efficiency of production by proposing new technology that will help them to have more sustainable agriculture,” he said. “It’s important that we introduce materials, machinery and equipment adapted to size of the crop, because the size of the crop in the Southeast Asian region is of course smaller than ones in Western Europe.”

The Vietnamese delegation this year includes 30 business members of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam...

The two-day expo was expected to attract 20,000 trade visitors and create business opportunities for all participants.

Experts shared their knowledge on the capabilities of the machinery. There was also a drone pavilion and workshops that were geared toward Agriculture 4.0. The Thai Society of Agricultural Engineering Conference was also held during the show.

The event also host several seminars, where experts in agriculture presented over 20 topics that can develop the Thai agriculture industry and drive Thailand’s economic growth.