BAAC allots B100bn for smart farmsThe state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) aims to lend 100 billion baht in the next two years to expand the smart farmer model to 4,500 communities nationwide, its chief says. The smart farmer initiative aims to maximise farmer capability by adopting technology to improve production capacity, management and marketing, upgrading them to become leaders in their hometowns. Mr Apirom said BAAC has provided loans to raise sugar cane production efficiency for retail farmers and institutions in Nong Sarai in Kanchanaburi. The bank offers low-rate loans for farmers to purchase drones used in farming and loans for supplementary occupations including organic fertiliser pellet manufacturing. Moo Yai Dong Yang in Rachaburi is another potential smart farmer community, said Mr Apirom, adding people there developed the area to be a cultural tourism site to add value.

Source: Bangkok Post November 11, 2019 23:58 UTC