Farmers in some provinces will be able to check real-time product prices in various markets, local and foreign trade conditions, or even send questions to state officials through a new touch-screen computer system to be introduced next year.
The device would be able to provide useful information such as early warnings of possible natural disasters, trade locations for produce, or prices of fertilisers,said Monthon Jiumcharoen, deputy secretary-general of the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE).
"Farmers can adjust their prices more quickly once they receive the information," he said.
The OAE, a department of the Agriculture Ministry, plans to install about 1,000 touch-screen kiosks in subdistricts of many provinces over the next few years.
Initially, 50 kiosks will be installed next year in subdistricts in provinces where the OAE has offices, such as Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chon Buri,Surat Thani and Songkhla.
There are about 7,000 subdistricts or tambons in the country and the OAE has been allocated about 20 million baht to run the project in the first year.
"Even though the initial number of kiosks cannot support a large number of farmers, the project is a good start to help them access real-time information effectively," said Mr Monthon.
As low-income earners, most Thai farmers are not able to get timely information about prices. Many obtain trade information from radio, television, newspapers, or traders in the neighbourhood.
Mr Monthon said the computer was easy to use both offline and online and he expected farmers would not have a problem using the self-service kiosks.
The OAE would provide a team of officials to update information and reply to questions from farmers, he said.
He added that the project conformed with the government's new options plan for major crops - rice, cassava, and maize - in which farmers have to update trade data frequently.
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