History of the Regional Office of Agricultural Economics (ROAE) 10

Establishment of Agricultural Economic Zones

 

The establishment of OAE area offices stemmed from the resolution of the Revolutionary Council on October 19, 1972, which assigned the Ministry of Agriculture, through the then-existing Agricultural Economics Division, to divide the country into 19 economic zones based on provincial boundaries.

The Agricultural Economics Act of 1979 defined an economic zone as an agricultural production area that includes crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and afforestation. The zones were to be designated based on market conditions and the national agricultural economic situation, taking into account the similarities of production factors such as soil, climate, water resources, crops grown, animals raised, types of agriculture, and farmers' main income.

After the zones were designated, OAE dispatched officials and employees to various areas of each zone. Their tasks included collecting farm business data, processing data from farm accounts, and sending reports to the central office on agricultural trends, production, marketing, and prices. They also collected data on agricultural production volume and sent raw data to the central office.
 

Changes and Developments

 

In 1987, the number of agricultural economic zones was adjusted from 19 to 24, and they were given the status of government agencies within OAE. These agencies acted as representatives of OAE in the regions. They received budget approval for equipment and construction to establish permanent offices in each zone. They were also allocated staff and an annual budget to carry out their duties in the areas they were responsible for.

In addition to collecting agricultural data, the zones were given additional responsibilities and duties, including:
 

1. Studying and analyzing the agricultural economic situation of local agricultural products
2. Conducting surveys, monitoring, and evaluating in collaboration with the central office
3. Coordinating agricultural development plans at the provincial level
4. Analyzing agricultural development plans based on the area's natural resources

Restructuring and Current Status

 

In 2002, under the administrative reform of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, a ministerial regulation was issued to divide the OAE's departments. This resulted in the reorganization of the 24 agricultural economic zones into 9 OAE Regional Offices, each with the status of a division.

In 2004, ROAE 7 in Chai Nat Province was reorganized. Its area of responsibility was reduced from 17 provinces to 11, including Chai Nat (the headquarters), Singburi, Saraburi, Uthai Thani, Ang Thong, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani.

ROAE 7 Sub-Office in Ratchaburi Province was established to cover the remaining 6 provinces: Ratchaburi (the headquarters), Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The sub-office was established to improve the efficiency of ROAE 7's operations. It operates under ROAE 7 and performs similar tasks, except for research and monitoring and evaluation. Budget expenditures are made at the parent office (ROAE 7).

In 2009, ROAE 7 Sub-Office in Ratchaburi Province was upgraded to ROAE 10 in Ratchaburi Province. It has 7 provinces under its responsibility: Ratchaburi (the headquarters), Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

ROAE 10 has been allocated staff and an annual budget. It has been given full responsibility and duties, acting as an organization similar to OAE Areas 1-9 in accordance with the administrative reform of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministerial Regulation on the Division of Departments of the Office of Agricultural Economics 2002.

ROAE 10 has the following divisions:
 

1. General Administration Division
2. Agricultural Information Division
3. Agricultural Economic Zone Development Plan Division
4. Research and Evaluation Division