Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul announced a “half-cost agricultural drone” scheme to promote smart farming.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Surasak said the program will subsidise drone services to aid farmers in boosting their productivity and reducing chemical exposure.
The programme’s pilot phase will begin in the Central region, with plans to expand nationwide.
He said it will also allow agricultural drone service providers, including SMEs and startups, to participate and grow their businesses.
The drone initiative is part of the new government’s “Quick Win” policies, which Mr Surasak’s ministry plans to implement alongside other measures with the aim of achieving tangible results within four months.
Also among the policies are upskilling and reskilling programmes that will be launched through universities and science parks nationwide as a response to technological disruptions from artificial intelligence.
Mr Surasak said these programmes will focus on market-relevant skills and help unemployed individuals re-enter the workforce or transition into becoming SMEs or startup entrepreneurs.
Funding and business incubation will be provided by agencies like the Technology and Innovation-based Enterprise Development Fund and the National Innovation Agency.
For higher education policies, the ministry has a range of policies, such as subsidising fees for the 2026 Thai University Centre Admission System exams, targeting 730,000 students. The ministry also plans to launch the Green University initiative in support of Thailand’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.