Page 443 - Statistical Yearbook Thailand 2013

Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Statistics
Agricultural statistics were obtained from the Office of Agricultural Economics and the Department
of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the National Statistical Office.
As known, Thailand is an agricultural country and agriculture is the main subsistence occupation of
the majority of Thai people and the agricultural product is the most important exporting goods. For such
reasons, the Thai government has planned programs to develop all types of agricultural activities in order to
increase and improve both quantity and quality of agricultural products for direct consumption, industrial and
exporting purposes.
Timber and forest products statistics originate from the Royal Forestry Department and National
park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment.
Existing forest area in this table means forest of all types such as evergreen, pine, mangrove, mixed
deciduous, dry dipterocarp, scrub, swamp and beach forest in the national forest reserved, national parks,
wildlife sanctuaries, forest working plan with an area of 5 hectares (31.25 rai) or move with tree taller than
5 meters or more canopy covering more than 10% of the ground area.
According to the National Forest Policy, at least 40% of the country area should be covered by the
forest, which is of about 128 million rai. This policy enhances a balance in environment and promote
population’s participation with the Royal Forestry Department.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has proposed the agricultural development plan.
Restructure agricultural production under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Scheme in directions
such as natural farming, organic farming, integrated farming, agro-forestry and water sources under the new
theory. This is intended to serve farmer in upgrading of infrastructure to promote higher productivity and
better quality of life and standard living. Also, it is for the conservation of sustainable environment.
Rice (mixed) refers to the major rice and second rice
Major Rice refers to the rice grown between May and October, except in Nakhon Si Thammarat,
Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat whereas the major rice is grown between 16 June and
28 February of the following year.