OAE highlights the evaluation results of the “New Theory Agriculture” project, which helps farmers reduce household expenses and chemical.

News No. 136/2025, November 21, 2025

     Ms. Thanyathitha Bunyamanikul, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), MOAC, revealed the results of monitoring the implementation of the Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (New Theory Agriculture), a project under the Safe Agriculture Sub-Master Plan.
     The objective is to promote learning and apply the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to the development of the New Theory Agriculture and prepare farmers to enter the production system of safe and standardized agricultural products. The project is being driven by the following agencies: the Rice Department, 
the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Livestock Development, 
the Cooperative Auditing Department, the Sericulture Department, and the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO). 
     OAE is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the project, with implementation covering 76 provinces across four regions. OAE's monitoring of the project's progress shows that in fiscal year 2025, the project achieved 101.23 percent of its overall target.There are results of operations in many dimensions, such as supporting production factors,rice, and organizing community forums to transfer rice production technology to 4,549 people, promoting knowledge to develop new agricultural theories in fisheries and supporting production factors to 5,000 people , developing potential in livestock to 20,039 people , promoting the development of product groups with participation to 1,258 groups , career and marketing development. Support for 22,154 mulberry trees and expansion of the 
New Theory mulberry farmers to 100 new sericulture farmers (achieved the target). Training and development of 131 accounting teachers and training on cost accounting for 3,608 farmers were also provided. 
     Furthermore, the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has promoted 36,058.72 rai of land reform areas into sustainable agricultural areas for farmers participating in the project. The OAE has also monitored the results of the project in 23 provinces and found that, when considering the overall results of the project, outcomes were achieved: 
     1. Household economics: It has reduced household expenses by an average of 2,860 baht per household per year from the introduction of short-term crop varieties and vegetable seeds, which have reduced the purchase of vegetables from markets and shops, averaging 2,809 baht per household per year. The consumption of eggs, an average of 2,364 baht per household per year from fish consumption. Furthermore, agricultural expenses are reduced by reducing the cost of chemical fertilizers and chemicals, averaging 2,678 baht per household per year. 
     2. In terms of resource management, 10.60 percent of farmers have shifted from conventional farming (the use of chemicals and fertilizers) to safe farming (reducing or not using chemicals at all). Meanwhile,63.64 percent of conventional farmers are interested in shifting to safe farming, citing concerns about their health from direct exposure to chemicals and residues in their produce. Another 36.36 percent are uninterested in safe farming and are unwilling to apply for certification of safe agricultural products, citing the cumbersome and multi-step application process. 
     OAE recommends enhancing the integration of provincial-level operation, increasing advice on safe agriculture, developing a real-time digital monitoring system for rapid and accurate policy analysis, creating ongoing incentives for farmers (e.g., certification systems, reward criteria, or special markets), and considering more flexible budget allocations based on local conditions.

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