We’ve written a lot about our technology stack, from the basics of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation to our plans for scaling across 100 cooperatives. But questions keep coming up. Farmers worry about their rice yields, investors want to know about costs, and government officials ask about policy alignment.
In this Q&A, I’m going to address the most common misconceptions I’ve heard, based on real feedback from our pilots in Yasothon and conversations with cooperative leaders. I’ll keep it straightforward - no technical jargon, just clear answers about AWD irrigation, edge AI, IoT security, and other topics.
If you have questions of your own, feel free to email [email protected] - we love hearing from people interested in agritech.
Q1: Doesn’t AWD Reduce Rice Yields?
A: This is probably the most common concern we hear, and it’s simply not true. Farmers worry that letting their fields dry out between waterings will stress the rice plants and hurt their harvest.
But research from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) shows that AWD can maintain the same yields while using 30% less water. In our Yasothon pilots, farmers actually saw a 10% increase in yields because the plants developed healthier root systems.
The key is timing - our edge AI system knows exactly when to let the field dry and when to add water back. We never let it get too dry. And it works for sugarcane too - strategic water cutoffs actually increase sugar content rather than reducing yields.
Q2: Edge-AI Needs Constant Internet, Right?
A: Wrong! One of the biggest advantages of our system is that it works completely offline.
90% of all irrigation decisions happen right on the gateway device in the farmer’s field. If internet is spotty (which it often is in rural Isan), it doesn’t matter - the system keeps working. Data syncs to the cloud when there’s a connection, but that’s just for long-term trends and carbon credit tracking.
Compared to cloud-based systems, this means zero latency, no data bills, and reliable operation even in the most remote villages.
Q3: IoT Sensors Break in Mud and Floods?
A: Not our sensors. We learned the hard way that agricultural equipment needs to be tough.
Our sensors have an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning they can be completely submerged in water and still work. They handle temperatures up to 40°C and have been tested in the field for over 3 years with less than 2% failure rate.
We also have a specific deployment method - sensors get buried properly so they’re protected from buffalos, tractors, and heavy rain. We’ve got this down to a science now.
Q4: How Secure Is Farm Data? Can’t Hackers Steal It?
A: We take security very seriously. Your farm data is protected like Fort Knox.
We use quantum-safe encryption and secure connections. The data belongs to you - we never sell it. We’re fully compliant with Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and use role-based access controls.
We haven’t had a single data breach across all our deployments. Farmers have complete control over who can access their information.
Q5: Agritech’s Too Expensive for Smallholders?
A: Our pricing is designed specifically for smallholder farmers and cooperatives.
Sensors cost 1,500 baht each, and our cooperative pricing model means a 200-sensor cluster costs about 200,000 baht in total, but farmers see that back in savings within one season.
Government grants often cover 50% of the cost. For sugarcane and aquaponics, we offer irrigation as a service - farmers subscribe rather than buying equipment upfront. No big capital investment required.
Q6: LoRaWAN Works Without Cell Towers? Really?
A: Absolutely. LoRaWAN has a range of 5-10km, so one gateway can cover an entire village. No SIM cards needed, no monthly fees.
We integrate with ChirpStack (an open-source network server) to manage the communication. Sensor batteries last 2 years. Cellular networks struggle during heavy rain or in remote areas, but LoRaWAN works reliably in rice paddies and flooded fields.
Q7: Can Co-Ops Really Earn from Carbon Credits?
A: Yes, and we’re seeing cooperatives earn about 30,000 baht per year for every 200 rai they manage.
AWD irrigation reduces methane emissions by 48% compared to traditional flooding. Our NaLog system provides the verification data needed for Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) credits. The process is straightforward: register with a carbon marketplace, measure your emissions reductions, and sell the credits.
Government grants help cover the initial setup costs. One cooperative in Yasothon used their first carbon credit payment to buy new water pumps.
Q8: Is This Scalable Beyond Pilots?
A: We’ve proven it can scale. Our plan is 100 clusters by 2026.
Growth comes organically through farmer referrals, our churn rate is below 5%, and we have strong partnerships with sugar mills and NGOs. The economics work at scale - we’re projecting 20 million baht in revenue with 60% profit margins.
Q9: What About Multi-Crop? Just Rice?
A: We work with multiple crops. Rice was our starting point, but the same technology applies to sugarcane (through our irrigation as a service model) and aquaponics systems.
The sensors measure moisture and pH levels, and our AI adapts the irrigation models for different crops. Carbon credits work across crops too - any efficient water use generates credits.
Q10: Thai Agritech? Why Not Import from Israel/US?
A: Local solutions work better here. Our system is designed for Thailand’s reality: unreliable internet, cooperative business models, and alignment with Thailand 4.0 policies.
Imported systems often fail because they’re too expensive or don’t account for local farming culture. KhawTech was built in Isan, by people who understand the region. We’re proving that Thai-led agritech can scale globally.
These answers should help clear up the most common misconceptions about our technology. Agritech doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or insecure - it can be accessible, profitable, and trustworthy.
This wraps up our series on the fundamentals: from why AWD is the right starting point for Thai rice farmers, to our detailed scaling plans, we hope we’ve provided a clear blueprint for how this technology works.
Have More Questions?
If there are other misconceptions or concerns you’d like us to address, please email [email protected]. We’re always happy to explain our technology in plain terms.
Alberto Roura, KhawTech Founder. Helping farmers, investors, and leaders understand agritech clearly so we can build a more sustainable future together.