In 2024, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable agricultural transformation in Thailand’s highlands through its leadership in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Technical Assistance Project TA-9993: Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture for Enhanced Recovery and Sustainability of Highlands. Implemented in collaboration with the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) under Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the initiative focused on strengthening local resilience to climate change, promoting gender-responsive and inclusive climate-smart agriculture (CSA), and developing sustainable livelihood pathways aligned with Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model. Throughout 2024, AIT spearheaded a comprehensive program of pilot demonstrations, capacity-building workshops, and knowledge product development, translating research and innovation into measurable community impact. These activities not only enhanced the adaptive capacity of highland farmers and local governments but also contributed directly to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 5, 12, and 13) through inclusive, evidence-based, and technology-driven approaches to agricultural sustainability.
1. Pilot Demonstrations
In 2024, AIT led six pilot demonstrations showcasing practical applications of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) innovations tailored to highland farming systems. These field pilots served as living laboratories for participatory learning, data collection, and farmer engagement.
1. Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems
- Installed in two villages—Ban Mai Mongkol and Ban Tabman—to demonstrate renewable energy-based water management.
- Improved irrigation efficiency, reduced dependence on diesel pumps, and enhanced water access for off-season crops.
- Data showed higher soil moisture and yield increases of up to 25% in cacao and avocado plots.
2. Keyline Water Management
- Applied landscape-level contour plowing and water retention systems to reduce soil erosion and enhance groundwater recharge.
- Farmers observed better soil stability and improved crop resilience under fluctuating rainfall conditions.
3. Biochar Application for Soil Improvement
- Implemented as part of climate-adaptive soil management to enhance organic matter and carbon sequestration.
- Increased soil moisture retention and improved plant growth metrics across demonstration plots.
4. Organic Farming with Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS)
- Supported 39 farmers under the SDGsPGS framework for organic certification covering 89 rai of farmland.
- Integrated local inspection and biofertilizer production, enabling traceability and sustainable input management.
- Resulted in increased farmer knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and market access for organic products.
5. Bio-Circular Green (BCG) Economy Demonstration on Maize Residue Utilization
- Conducted in Ban Aoi Community School involving 167 participants (60% women).
- Trained farmers and youth to upcycle maize waste into paper pulp, plant pots, and eco-tableware, reducing open burning.
- Highlighted pathways for rural green enterprises and circular agriculture in alignment with Thailand’s BCG model.
6. Digital Farm-to-Fork Traceability for Lemongrass Oil
- Piloted with 37 GAP-certified farmers managing 80 hectares under the enterprise EPS Essen Planters Na Noi.
- Used mobile apps, GIS mapping, drones, and blockchain-linked QR codes to trace products from field to distillation.
- Delivered a 30% return on investment and enhanced market transparency and product quality compliance.
Collectively, these six demonstrations improved productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability while empowering farmers—especially women—to adopt CSA innovations.
2. Capacity-Building Activities (Workshops and Trainings)
AIT organized a series of national and international workshops throughout 2024 to strengthen institutional capacities, promote gender equality, and encourage collaboration across public, private, and academic stakeholders. Over 700 participants benefited from these training programs, with women representing more than half of the attendees.
1. Field Visits to Demonstration Sites (June 2024)
- Conducted a five-day learning exchange for 173 participants from five provinces.
- Participants—half of whom were women—visited CSA pilots on solar irrigation, biochar, keyline plowing, circular maize management, and digital traceability.
- The visits facilitated peer learning and replication planning among local governments and academic institutions.
2. Women-Focused Alternative Livelihood Workshops (June–July 2024)
- Conducted six thematic workshops across Bua Yai Subdistrict with 316 participants (over 90% women).
- Training topics included food preservation (Makwaen, bamboo shoot, mushroom, banana), value addition (cacao, avocado, honey), furniture-making, basketry, and homestay management.
- Supported the development of local eco-tourism and community-based enterprises.
3. Workshop on Agricultural Product Quality, Value Addition, and Market Linkages (September 2024)
- Three-day training in Nan Province involving 62 participants (55% women) from farmer groups, private firms, and academia.
- Focused on post-harvest handling, food safety, and value addition for six key crops: cocoa, pumpkin, banana, lemongrass, peanut, and avocado.
- Included field visits to Peanut House Co., Ltd. and Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna.
4. International Workshop on Climate-Smart Agriculture in Highlands (October 2024)
- Hosted in Bangkok with 135 participants from 19 countries.
- Featured 5 thematic sessions on resilience metrics, carbon markets, blended finance, and farmer-led investment.
- Highlighted farmer presentations from Nan Province, including women leaders practicing CSA.
- Strengthened AIT’s regional leadership in CSA education and applied research.
5. Private Sector Engagement in Climate-Smart Agriculture in Highlands (December 2024)
- Brought together 16 private sector representatives from 12 agribusiness companies.
- Addressed challenges such as policy barriers, high investment costs, and logistics for CSA scaling.
- Proposed the Smart Sustainable Sandbox–Highland Value Chain Platform for innovation partnerships.
Summary Impact
Through integrated research, field demonstrations, and training in 2024, AIT strengthened highland farmers’ adaptive capacity, created gender-inclusive livelihood opportunities, and provided replicable models for sustainable agriculture. The initiative directly supported Thailand’s transition toward climate-resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon agrifood systems—a testament to AIT’s regional leadership in sustainability science and education.
