AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2026 to feature new Smart Agriculture Conference

Posted On: May 7, 2026
Posted By: Richmond Frimpong
Comments: 0

On 21 May during AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx, 20–22 May 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand – Conference partner China Agricultural University (CAU) Organizer DLG Markets China

AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2026 will feature a new international Conference on Smart Agriculture and Unmanned Agricultural Systems, strengthening the exhibition’s role as Asia’s leading platform for technology-driven farming. The conference will take place on 21 May 2026 at the BITEC venue, Bangkok at AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx (20–22 May 2026), and is co-hosted by DLG Markets China and China Agricultural University (CAU). Bringing together research institutions, technology providers, policymakers and agricultural practitioners, the conference will focus on practical applications of digital farming, artificial intelligence, robotics, and unmanned systems tailored to Asian production systems.

The Smart Agriculture & Unmanned Agricultural Systems conference is organized by DLG Markets China, drawing on China’s extensive experience in smart agriculture and long-standing cooperation at ministerial, research and industry level. “China has moved from pilot projects to large-scale application of smart agriculture technologies,” says Leely Zhang, Managing Director, DLG Markets China. “The close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, universities and industry have resulted in digital tools, drones and autonomous systems that address labor shortages, resource efficiency and food security. At AGRITECHNICA ASIA, we want to share these experiences, discuss what works in practice, and explore how they can be adapted to Southeast Asian conditions.”

From policy frameworks to practical field applications

The conference program on 21 May will showcase concrete examples of smart farming already in practical use. These include the deployment of agricultural drones for crop protection and fertilization, AI-based farm management platforms, autonomous field machinery, and robotic systems for monitoring and precision operations. In China alone, more than 300,000 agricultural drones are currently in operation, covering hundreds of millions of hectares annually. Presentations and panel discussions will also address national policy frameworks, including China’s Smart Agriculture Action Plan (2024–2028), as well as regional cooperation initiatives such as the Lancang–Mekong Cooperation, which promotes technology transfer, joint research and knowledge sharing with Southeast Asian countries.

Targeted at universities and research institutions, agricultural technology companies, manufacturers of drones and autonomous machinery, government authorities, service providers, and farms and cooperatives, the conference is designed as a hands-on knowledge and networking platform. It aims to support informed investment decisions and foster partnerships that accelerate the adoption of scalable, climate-resilient agricultural solutions across Asia.

AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2026: Technology, knowledge and capacity building

The new smart agriculture conference complements the comprehensive exhibition and knowledge-transfer program of AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx 2026, held under the theme “Farm. Farmer. Future.” Organized by DLG’s (German Agricultural Society) subsidiary DLG Markets Asia Pacific in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand (MOAC), the three-day exhibition will welcome around 350 exhibitors and expects more than 18,000 professional visitors from across Asia.

With Germany as official partner country, represented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Regional Identity (BMLEH), the exhibition will feature eight international pavilions (Austria, China, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan. Around 220 international speakers will contribute to the technical program, covering mechanization, digitalization, sustainable crop production, horticulture, climate-resilient systems and regional market developments.

New and enhanced formats in 2026 include the AGRIFUTURE Zone, a dedicated Startup Day on 21 May and the Future Farmers Program. Together with the new Smart Agriculture and Unmanned Agricultural Systems Conference, these features underline AGRITECHNICA ASIA’s focus on applied innovation, capacity building and practical relevance for farmers and agribusinesses across the region.

www.agritechnica-asia.com

Media Contact

Malene Conlong

International Communications

+49 69 24788-237

m.conlong(at)dlg.org

Guido Oppenhäuser

Head of Communication and Marketing

+49 69 24788-213

[email protected]

DLG. Progress and sustainability in the agriculture and food industry

The DLG (German Agricultural Society), founded in 1885 by Max Eyth, stands for productivity and sustainability in innovation-driven improvements in agriculture and the food chain. The aim of the DLG is to promote progress through the transfer of knowledge – especially with regard to technology and quality control. Non-profit, politically independent and with an international network, the DLG has more than 30,000 members worldwide.

As one of the leading organizations in its sector, the DLG not only organizes trade fairs and events in the fields of agriculture and food technology but also tests food, agricultural technology and equipment. With its competence centers for agriculture and food, its demonstration farm where practical trials take place along with its numerous publications, the DLG continually promotes independent knowledge transfer. In addition, the DLG works on numerous national and international committees of experts to develop solutions for the challenges facing agriculture and the food industry.

www.dlg.org

The Cooperative Force in Action: Implications of Socodevi’s 2026 Conference for Cooperative Development in Ghana

Posted On: June 30, 2026
Posted By: Richmond Frimpong

The recent Socodevi 2026 Conference, held on June 12 at Hôtel Le Bonne Entente in Québec City under the theme “The Cooperative Force: Joining Forces to Multiply Impact,” sends a strong message about the growing relevance of cooperative enterprises as vehicles for sustainable development. According to the conference report, Socodevi highlighted the achievements of its 34 projects worldwide, which collectively reached approximately 4.6 million people during the year. The gathering brought together member institutions, administrators, donors, partners, and stakeholders to review progress and strengthen collaboration. For Ghana, where cooperative development remains central to agricultural transformation, rural livelihoods, and local economic growth, the conference has significant implications. Reinforcing the Importance of Cooperative Models The theme of the conference emphasizes the power of collective action. In Ghana, cooperatives continue to play a crucial role in sectors such as cocoa, shea, cashew, fisheries, credit unions, and agribusiness. Socodevi’s reaffirmation of the cooperative model demonstrates that sustainable development is most effective when producers, communities, financial institutions, and development partners work together. The conference highlights a global recognition that cooperatives are not merely social organizations but viable economic enterprises capable of generating wealth, creating jobs, and improving resilience among vulnerable populations. Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains Socodevi has been actively involved in Ghana through projects such as PROCED in the Upper East Region, TogetHER in the Ashanti and Western North regions, and other initiatives that focus on cooperative governance, entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, and agricultural development. The conference outcomes suggest that future interventions in Ghana will likely continue to prioritize professionalization of farmer organizations, improved cooperative governance, business-oriented management systems, market access enhancement, financial inclusion, climate resilience and risk management For Ghana’s cocoa sector in particular, these priorities are critical. As the industry faces challenges including climate change, aging farms, low productivity, and sustainability requirements, stronger cooperatives can serve as platforms for farmer training, access to finance, crop insurance, and certification schemes. Increased Opportunities for Development Partnerships The conference brought together donors and strategic partners from across the world. This demonstrates Socodevi’s ability to mobilize international support for cooperative development. For Ghana, this presents opportunities for: new development financing, technical assistance, knowledge transfer, innovation partnerships and South-South cooperation Local cooperatives and farmer-based organizations can benefit from exposure to international best practices and access to global networks that may otherwise be unavailable.