Agriculture Ministry Trains 1,000 'AI Coaches' to Boost Grassroots Economy
Thailand's Agriculture Ministry is training 1,000 officials as "AI Coaches" to help over 64,000 community enterprises adopt artificial intelligence for marketing, product development, and business planning. The program aims to boost grassro
The Department of Agricultural Extension is leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen grassroots economic development by training approximately 1,000 agricultural promotion officials at all levels to serve as 'AI Coaches' and transfer knowledge to local communities. Deputy Director Suriya Kampuang revealed that these officials will be trained online to develop AI skills and guide the application of AI technology in various areas including targeted marketing, product and packaging development, demand forecasting, and precise business planning.
The department has also compiled practical support tools for community enterprises and farmer entrepreneurs, including over 400 AI prompts and ROI (Return on Investment) calculation guides to help community enterprises analyze business viability, make informed decisions, and reduce investment risks.
The initiative aims to enable community enterprises to apply AI responsibly while adhering to ethical principles and relevant laws. The program targets over 64,513 community enterprises nationwide with more than 1.17 million members, aiming to enhance their competitiveness, add value to products and services, and transition effectively to the digital economy era.
"Using AI will help community enterprises reduce operational costs, increase production efficiency, and expand marketing channels, particularly in online marketing and brand creation, which will add value to community products and services and create economic multiplier effects at the regional and national levels," Suriya stated.
The project emphasizes responsible technology use, considering ethics, intellectual property, and relevant laws. The department aims for at least 70% of trained officials to apply their knowledge concretely in their local areas and scale up community enterprise development broadly.
The initiative represents a shift for Thai community enterprises from manufacturers to modern entrepreneurs capable of creating added value and competing in the digital economy with integrity. The department expects the program to serve as a key mechanism for elevating the nation's grassroots economic structure from product manufacturing to brand creation and value addition, moving from traditional market dependence to data-driven business analysis and planning, while strengthening Thai community enterprises' self-reliance and ensuring sustainable long-term growth.
