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.