Mr. Peerapan Kothong, Secretary-General of the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), revealed that, as the primary agency for agricultural information, the OAE is preparing for the Socio-economic Survey of Agricultural Households and Labor for the 2025/2026 crop year. This crucial mission involves collecting data to establish indicators of the well-being of Thai farmers. A systematic, integrated approach is planned between the central office and the 12 Regional Offices of Agricultural Economics (OAE 1-12) to maximize efficiency. This includes defining the academic framework, developing up-to-date questionnaires, and conducting fieldwork. All staff will undergo training to ensure a standardized understanding of definitions and methodologies. Fieldwork will commence simultaneously nationwide between April and August 2026.

This survey targets 74 provinces across the country (excluding the three southern border provinces), using a standardized statistical sampling method of 7,600 households to represent farmers in all production sectors. The data to be collected will be comprehensive, covering 11 key categories: general member information, land ownership and use, crop, livestock and fisheries production, income and expenses both within and outside the agricultural sector, debt and credit status, household assets, labor and labor migration data, attitudes towards agriculture, and government policy data such as Smart Farmer and large-scale farming projects. This will clearly reflect the overall picture of the planting season from May 2025 to April 2026.

The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has also enhanced its work by integrating statistical methodologies and data with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), which has used digital agriculture readiness criteria to categorize farmers according to their aptitudes. This will be linked to socio-economic surveys. These insightful data will create immense benefits at both the national level, enabling the government to allocate budgets and design targeted and cost-effective assistance measures, and at the household level, helping the government address poverty and debt issues and improve farmers' income. The OAE places the highest priority on data accuracy through a multi-stage verification system and confirms that the personal data of all farmers will be kept strictly confidential. Individual or plot-specific information will not be disclosed under any circumstances. According to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA),

“The data obtained from the survey will reflect the reality on the ground, serving as a crucial database for government agencies to formulate policies, plan agricultural development, and determine targeted and effective measures to assist farmers, especially in addressing debt problems, land management, and improving income. Therefore, we request the cooperation of our fellow farmers to please provide complete and truthful information to the OAE (Office of Agricultural Economics) staff who are working in the field, for the greatest benefit in developing the country's agricultural sector,” concluded the Secretary-General of the OAE.

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