IAIC 2017

Empowering Environmental Sustainability through Cross-border E-commerce in the Agricultural Sector

The 2017 International Agriculture Innovation Conference (IAIC) took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on October 18th and 19th. This year, the conference was jointly organized by the Chinese Institute Education Development and Vital Wellspring Group Pte. Ltd., with support from our esteemed partners: University of Maryland, U.S.A., University of Oulu, Finland, Eastern Michigan University, U.S.A., University of Otago, New Zealand, Halmstad University, Sweden, University of Vigo, Spain, China Agricultural University, China, Andalas University, Indonesia, Singapore Management University, Singapore, and National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. The conference brought together experts from around the world to explore the potential of Agri-ecommerce in streamlining the agricultural value chain and addressing inefficiencies in the distribution of farm produce.

Agri e-commerce is still in its early stages of development, particularly in developing regions. It is crucial to devise business models that align with local market conditions and promote scalable and sustainable practices. In order to improve the current agriculture circumstance and attain environmental sustainability, agriculture innovation has become the primary strategy nowadays toward achieving the goals. Also, responding to the current trend of the information age, this year, we are moving to the special topic of cross-border e-commerce in agriculture sectors.

To commence IAIC 2017, we were privileged to have Vice President of Laos, Mr. Meck Panlacl, and Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Kongkeo Vongpaseuth, to deliver a keynote address on the Policy of Agricultural Development in Laos. Among the key points highlighted was the vital role of local organizations in enhancing and implementing sectoral strategies in agricultural activities. It was emphasized that these organizations should work in systematic coordination with district agriculture and forestry offices to effectively support sustainable agriculture.

In our captivating keynote speech, Dr. Cheng-I Wei, Director of International Programs in Agriculture & Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, sparked an insightful discussion on agricultural innovations that drive both profitability and environmental sustainability. He has mentioned that by leveraging new agricultural technologies, farmers can enhance profitability and unlock the potential for increased crop value. Noteworthy examples encompass smart irrigation systems, cutting-edge soil quality monitoring technology, and the advent of automated farm machinery and robotics. Dr. Pamela Rae Becker, Professor of Technology Management at Eastern Michigan University, delivered enlightening presentations on the pivotal topic of environmental sustainability through the utilization of agricultural innovation.

Dr. Miranda Mirosa, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Food Science at the University of Otago, Dr. Kothandapani Ganesh, Senior Knowledge Expert and Global Lead at McKinsey & Company, Dr. Tan Wee Liang, Professor of Strategic Management at Singapore Management University, and Dr. Tzong Ru Lee, Professor of Marketing Department at National Chung Hsing University, engaged in an discussion on emerging agricultural techniques and theories. The topics covered agribusiness, new internet marketing strategies, and the utilization of big data in agriculture.

Lastly, on Day 2 of IAIC, a delegation of participants embarked on a visit to various farms and fields in Thailand. This interactive excursion facilitated the exchange of innovative ideas and provided valuable insights, unveiling new opportunities for the future of agriculture.