The FoodTech Summit forum at Techsauce Global Summit 2024 served as a platform for knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences related to promoting and driving food technology and innovation, particularly for FoodTech Startups. The summit also introduced the SPACE-F project, a collaborative initiative between the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) (NIA), Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, Mahidol University, and project partners including Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, LOTTE Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., and Nestle (Thai) Co., Ltd., aimed at supporting food technology startups developing innovative products to address current and future challenges in the industry.
FoodTech and AgriTech: Investing in the Future of Food Security
As part of this broader forum, the SPACE-F FoodTech sessions kicked off with a thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Paul Teng, Dean and Managing Director of National Institute of Education International (NIEI). He painted a picture of a world grappling with the changing environmental landscape brought on by climate change. This shift, he emphasized, is directly impacting agriculture and food security, driving an urgent need for increased food production. Teng's address underscored the vital role of FoodTech and AgriTech in addressing these challenges, positioning them as crucial tools in a future defined by resource scarcity and environmental instability.
Dr. Paul Teng asserted that these challenges, while daunting, also represent opportunities for innovative problem-solvers. The looming food security risks, he argued, are creating a surge in demand for FoodTech and AgriTech solutions. To further illustrate the potential within this sector, Dr. Teng highlighted seven key disruptive technologies that are currently attracting significant investment and entrepreneurship: digital tech, biotech, novel food and precision fermentation, novel environments, waste valorization, product integrity, and supply chain. He concluded his presentation by recommending his books, a collection of research on "Food Security Issues in Asia," edited by himself, for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex landscape and potential solutions.
Decarbonizing Thailand's Food System: A Roadmap to Sustainability
Following Dr. Paul Teng's session, Dr. Narain Chutijirawong, Executive Director of Clients & Markets at Deloitte Thailand, took the stage to shed light on the crucial topic of food decarbonization in Thailand. Dr. Narain began by echoing the concerns about environmental instability, highlighting the food industry's significant contribution to carbon emissions while also being vulnerable to its harmful effects.
To mitigate this, Dr. Narain emphasized the urgent need for reducing food carbonization. He presented a range of technological levers capable of curbing carbon emissions, encompassing sustainable farming practices like ‘Integrated Farming Systems’, the adoption of low-carbon practices and reducing food waste, shifting to alternative ingredients, and promoting responsible consumption habits. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ongoing research and development to create innovative technologies addressing the current challenges.
Dr. Narain underscored that food decarbonization necessitates an industry-wide effort, demanding collaboration and cooperation among businesses, farmers, consumers, and logistics providers. He advocated for a balanced strategy that not only improves the environment but also maintains market competitiveness. To facilitate this, he outlined 12 strategic approaches that businesses can implement, emphasizing that these strategies can positively impact both corporate goals and environmental well-being. To reinforce this point, he presented compelling success stories demonstrating the effectiveness of these strategies in practice.
In closing, Dr. Narain left the attendees with a powerful message about the urgency and feasibility of achieving a sustainable food system in Thailand through collective action and innovative strategies.
Panel Discussions: Revitalizing Global Kitchens & Leveraging Technology
Following Dr. Narain Chutijirawong's insightful session, the SPACE-F stage shifted focus to engaging panel discussions. The first panel, titled “Revitalizing the Kitchen of the World: How Do We Improve for the Future?”, brought together a distinguished group of experts including Assoc. Prof. Yodchanan Wongsawat (Director of the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management at Mahidol University), Chris Aurand (Open Innovation Leader at Thai Union Group), Sean Mak (COO of Innovate 360), Jittrapon Jirakulsomchok (Senior Innovation Developer at the National Innovation Agency), and Kwon Hyu Tae (Co-founding Partner & CEO of Pine Venture Partners). This panel mainly discusses strategies for improving the food and agriculture industries globally, comparing the strengths and weaknesses of different regions, and identifying key areas for development.
Next up, a separate panel discussion took the spotlight, exploring the theme of “Leveraging Technology for Food Businesses: Collaboration for Future of Food.” This panel featured insights from Jenica Cruz (Head of Corporate Innovation & Sustainability at Nestle' Thailand), Felix Collins (Founder of Full Circle Biotechnology), Tak Phongpetra (Executive Director of Southern Palm 2521), and John Cheng (CEO of Innovate 360). The discussion showcased each entrepreneur's methods and experiences in implementing technology to optimize their businesses, providing concrete examples of how they are contributing to the sustainability of the food industry.
Nurturing Innovation: Thai Government's Role in FoodTech Startups
In the closing moments of the FoodTech Summit Stage, before the much-anticipated AgriFoodTech Startup Pitching Showcase, Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director at Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) (NIA) took the stage to shed light on the Thai government's vital role in fostering FoodTech startups. She introduced the NIA, highlighting its mission to bolster Thailand's National Innovation System, create opportunities and enhance access to innovation infrastructure, and elevate skills and innovation capabilities. With the vision of being a driving force in enhancing the national innovation system towards sustainable values, NIA operates through four key schemes:
- Groom: Focuses on developing entrepreneurial talent.
- Grant: Provides essential financial support to promising SMEs.
- Growth: Showcased by the Space-F accelerator program, helps startups gain traction and secure funding, fostering economic growth.
- Global: Connects Thai SMEs and innovations to the international market.
Dr. Krithpaka further elaborated on NIA's successes, citing examples such as an agritech startup that expanded to Vietnam and Southeast Asia, highlighting the agency's support in enabling regional expansion. She also highlighted NIA's role in connecting startups with funding opportunities, referencing a startup that received funding from ADB Ventures. Additionally, NIA offers various financial support mechanisms for startups at different stages, and plans to launch the "NA venture" next year to further strengthen this support.
Dr. Krithpaka stressed NIA's specific focus on agritechnology, recognizing its high-growth potential. The agency's "Market Access" programs empower startups to reach customers and expand their reach, while initiatives like "Startup Thailand Connect" and collaborations with international partners underscore NIA's dedication to building a global startup ecosystem. NIA actively connects Thai startups with international opportunities and strives to attract foreign startups to Thailand. Through these comprehensive efforts, the Thai government, spearheaded by NIA, plays a crucial role in nurturing innovation and empowering FoodTech startups to flourish both domestically and on the global stage.
Conclusion
The SPACE-F FoodTech sessions at Techsauce Global Summit 2024 underscored the critical role of FoodTech and AgriTech in addressing the pressing challenges of food security and sustainability in a world grappling with climate change. The forum showcased a powerful blend of thought leadership, collaborative discussions, and government support aimed at driving innovation and investment in this vital sector.
From Dr. Paul Teng’s call for increased food production and investment in disruptive technologies to Dr. Narain Chutijirawong's roadmap for food decarbonization in Thailand, the sessions highlighted the urgency and feasibility of building a sustainable food system. The panel discussions further enriched the conversation, offering insights into revitalizing the global food industry and leveraging technology for a brighter future. Finally, Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng's presentation shed light on the Thai government’s instrumental role in nurturing and empowering FoodTech startups through initiatives like the SPACE-F program.
The SPACE-F FoodTech sessions at Techsauce Global Summit 2024 highlighted the importance of innovation, collaboration, and investment in creating a sustainable and food-secure future. The event showcased the potential of FoodTech and AgriTech and inspired attendees to work together to address the challenges ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- Climate change threatens food security, necessitating increased and sustainable food production.
- FoodTech and AgriTech are crucial solutions for a resilient food system.
- Thailand needs a balanced food decarbonization strategy that leverages technology and fosters collaboration.
- The Thai government actively supports FoodTech startups through initiatives like SPACE-F.
- The summit emphasized the importance of collective action and innovation for a sustainable food future.
- To safeguard the future of the food industry amidst climate change and environmental instability, investing in sustainability is essential.