TKC unveils smart hydroponic greenhouse project to enhance Thai agriculture

The project follows the success in the adoption of smart farm technology by farmers of Nuttabhum Foundation in Lampang province, which resulted in high quality crops, an increase in farmers’ income and better quality of life among locals there.

Launched in July 2024, the “TKC Smart Hydroponic Greenhouse” highlights adoption of Internet of Things for hydroponic cultivation using water-based mineral nutrient solutions in a 12x6 metre greenhouse.

Systems for measuring temperature, humidity and light intensity, as well as other sensors, have been installed in the artificial environment to streamline data processing via the internet.

For instance, the greenhouse’s mist sprays and fans will be operated once the temperature rises. Fertiliser dispensers, meanwhile, can be set up based on farmers’ preferences.

Farmers or entrepreneurs can monitor and collect real-time data gathered from these cutting-edge solutions on the dashboard monitor, smartphones or other devices. 

The greenhouse requires only a few workers to tackle issues or repair devices there, resulting in a decline in labour cost.

“The innovation aims to enable farmers to cultivate high quality crops that meet their demands,” said Dr Panupat Poocharoen, TKC’s director of business development and acting manager of research and development.

TKC has chosen melon sprouts for its smart greenhouse project, which offer high prices, need a relatively low cultivation period of 90-100 days, and consume only two litres of water each day.

Thanks to an artificial environment, crops inside the greenhouse will be safe from diseases and pests, resulting in a decline in toxic residues.

The TKC Smart Hydroponic Greenhouse project is currently under experiment. However, the project could be adopted at Nuttabhum Foundation in Lampang province if it goes well.

“Once the project offers tangible results, the crop yield will be better than before,” Panupat said. 

What makes the TKC Smart Hydroponic Greenhouse project special is a system that helps farmers on crop selection to speculate profits. Data for the cultivation forecast has been provided by the Department of Agriculture.

This smart greenhouse allows farmers to cultivate crops in any season, whether it is hot or rainy, said company managing director Sayam Tiewtranon, reckoning that crops inside the greenhouse will have high and similar quality.

Though the investment cost could not be estimated yet, he confirmed that the greenhouse should generate profit for farmers at an affordable price.

He affirmed that the greenhouse would enable farmers to address insufficient workers in the agriculture sector, crop quality and price competitiveness.

As Thailand is facing challenges triggered by an ageing population, the innovation could offer an opportunity to generate income for retirees or the elderly, he added.

Sayam expects the TKC research team to conclude the experiment by the end of 2024, though it depends on knowledge exchange collaboration from the public sector, especially the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.

“If the experiment is successful, farmers can cultivate all kinds of high value vegetables and fruits because our aim in adopting technology in agriculture is to generate higher income for farmers,” he added.