ADB TA 9916 Pilot Projects

Showcasing Scalable Digital Solutions for GMS Agrifood Transformation

Under ADB TA 9916, a series of practical digital agriculture pilot initiatives were designed and implemented to demonstrate how emerging technologies can address key barriers in GMS agrifood systems — from traceability and compliance to climate resilience and financial inclusion.

These pilots focus on real-world application, cross-border interoperability, and scalability — providing actionable models that can be replicated and expanded across the region.

Cross-Border Durian Traceability & Smart Farming

 (Thailand → China)

Led by the TA 9916 and the Thailand MOAC in partnership with the NSTDA, GS1, FECC MARA,  Durio Innovation Co. and other partners, this flagship pilot integrates:

• Globally recognized traceability systems

• RFID and QR technologies

• IoT-based farm management and compliance monitoring

• Seamless digital integration with GS1 China platforms

👉 Supports safe and transparent durian trade with China — and serves as a replicable model for other high-value commodities.

Climate Advisory & Early Warning Systems for Farmers 

(AFAS – AIT)

This pilot, led by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), is helping farmers in Thailand and Viet Nam access:

• Localized climate advisory services

• Early warning alerts for extreme weather and crop risks

• Digital platforms to inform adaptive farm management

• Integrated with national climate data systems and agronomic models

👉 Supports climate resilience and risk mitigation at the farm level.

Rice Smart Farming Pilots (Thailand)

Pilots under TA 9916 apply IoT, big data analytics, and precision agriculture technologies to the rice sector:

• Real-time monitoring of soil, crop, and water conditions

• Precision input management (fertilizer, irrigation)

• Yield optimization and quality assurance

• Enhanced traceability across the rice value chain

👉 Demonstrates how digital tools can increase productivity, reduce costs, and support sustainability in staple crops.

Real-Time Livestock Traceability & Cross-Border SPS Compliance (Cattle RFID Pilots – Lao PDR)

This pilot introduces:

• RFID-based livestock identification and tracking

• Real-time movement monitoring for cattle

• Digital health and vaccination records

• Integration with cross-border SPS compliance systems

• Alignment with regional trade protocols for livestock exports

👉 Enables transparent, compliant livestock trade and improved animal health management.

💳  Innovative Agri-FinTech Solutions for Smallholder Farmers (Cambodia)

This pilot develops and tests digital platforms that:

• Unlock access to credit and financial services for smallholder farmers

• Leverage alternative data (farm performance, digital traceability, satellite imagery) to inform credit scoring

• Facilitate embedded finance models linked to agribusiness value chains

• Pilot partnerships with local banks and digital finance providers
  
  

👉 Helps make farmers bankable and supports inclusive rural finance ecosystems.

Why These Pilots Matter

Together, these TA 9916 pilots:

✅ Address critical system gaps in GMS agrifood value chains

✅ Support GMS Digitalization Action Plan priorities

✅ Provide tested models for scaling digital agriculture

✅ Foster cross-border interoperability and regional collaboration

✅ Build inclusive, climate-smart, and commercially viable agrifood systems

👉 These innovations are being showcased at the M12 Digital Innovation & Co-Creation Workshop and are being positioned for broader replication and investment across the GMS.