Bangkok: Unveiling the plan to upgrade Thailand's agricultural sector for 2027-2032 using research and real-world data. The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) and the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) have joined forces to develop a research and analysis portfolio aligned with the country's development direction as outlined in the 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan. The aim is to enhance data-driven, evidence-based policy decision-making in response to the global economy and new trade standards.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Peerapan Kothong, Secretary-General of the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), revealed that the OAE has held discussions with executives of the Agricultural Research Development Agency (Public Organization) (ARDA) to determine strategic guidelines for the Agricultural Economics Research Plan 2027-2032. This plan aims to align with the country's development direction as outlined in the 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan, focusing on enhancing data-driven and evidence-based policy decision-making to achieve tangible economic and social outcomes.
Amidst the volatility of the global economy and trade, geopolitics, and the emergence of new trade standards, the Thai agricultural sector needs a practical, forward-looking and risk management system. Therefore, the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has designed a research plan in the form of a research portfolio and an analysis portfolio to connect knowledge with timely policy formulation.
The R1-R15 research program series aims to build a modeling and policy evidence base to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. This includes assessing climate change risks to yields and prices, analyzing geopolitical impacts and trade standards, examining distortions in supply chains and input markets, and improving the economic efficiency of government policies to generate income and stability for farmers.
Furthermore, the research plan emphasizes adapting production systems to high-value products, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of smart agricultural technologies, designing insurance systems, forecasting food consumption, carbon auditing and trade standards, analyzing farmers' household debt, classifying products to determine production directions (continuing or adapting), as well as developing the biomass economy, biomaterials, and bioenergy, upgrading labor skills, and defining the framework for special agricultural economic zones.
Meanwhile, the A1-A12 analytical plan series will serve as a policy radar system, transforming research into immediately applicable reports. This includes the creation of agricultural risk dashboards and commodity price monitoring, quarterly and annual agricultural economic trend reporting, spatial economic analysis, rapid reporting in response to sudden impacts, as well as reviewing budget structures to increase flexibility and closely monitoring the financial well-being of farmer households.
Mr. Peerapan further stated that both organizations agreed to promote research into practical applications through a spatial research (Sandbox) model. The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) will be responsible for defining economic challenges and developing policy plans, while the Agricultural Research and Development Institute (ARDI) will provide research and innovation funding to accelerate the development of production systems, marketing, and product standards to meet global market demands. A system for monitoring and measuring results will also be established.
This collaboration is expected to enhance Thai agricultural policy, increase productivity, and strengthen income security for farmers sustainably in the long term.