Formed 1 April 1892 Phone +66 2 281 5955 | Website www.moac.go.th Founded 1 April 1892 | |
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Minister responsible Gen Chatchai Sarikulya, Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya Address 3 Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, Ban Phan Thom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand Hours Open today · 6:30AM–8:30PMMonday6:30AM–8:30PMTuesday6:30AM–8:30PMWednesday6:30AM–8:30PMThursday6:30AM–8:30PMFriday6:30AM–8:30PMSaturdayClosedSundayClosed Similar 泰拳, Departme of Cooperati, Ministry of Transport, Departme of Cooperati, Royal Irrigation Departme | ||
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Thai: กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์; rtgs: Krasuang Kaset Lae Sahakon; Abrv: MOAC) is a cabinet ministry in the government of Thailand. The ministry is one of the oldest ministries in the government, tracing its existence to the 14th century. The ministry is responsible for the administration of agricultural policies, forestry, water resources, irrigation, promotion and development of farmers and cooperative systems, including agricultural manufacturing and products. As Thailand is an agricultural country with a strong agrarian tradition, the ministry is one of the most important departments in the government. The ministry is headed by a Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. As of November 2016, the minister was General Chatchai Sarikulya.
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History
During the Kingdom of Ayutthaya one of the king's four ministries was the "Kromma Na" (Thai: กรมนา) or Farm Ministry. Created in 1350, the ministry was responsible for the prevention and resolution of conflicts over rice, other crops, and livestock. Eventually the ministry gained more powers from the king to manage land reformation, irrigation and livestock, collecting broken rice grains for the royal granary, management of the king's land holdings, solving conflicts over land ownership, and appointment of officers to provincial towns.
During the Rattanakosin era and later periods, the name of the ministry changed several times. In 1892 its name changed to the "Ministry of Kasetpanichakarn"; in 1898 to the "Ministry of Kasettrathikarn"; in 1932 to the "Ministry of Kasetpanichayakarn"; in 1933 to the "Ministry of Setthakarn"; in 1935 to the "Ministry of Kasettrathikarn"; in 1952 to the "Ministry of Agriculture"; and finally to its current name, the "Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives" in 1972.
Criticism
The ministry has drawn criticism from observers who charge, among other things, that, "The Agriculture Ministry has...become the mouthpiece for agro giants—and agricultural officials their salesmen." The criticism arises from Thailand's profligate use of farm chemicals. According to the World Bank, Thailand is the world's fifth largest user of farm chemicals, although its arable land ranks only 48th in the world. About 70 pesticides used in Thailand are banned in the West.
According to the Thai government's The Eleventh National Economic and Social Development Plan (2012-1016), Thailand is number one in the world in the application of chemicals in agriculture. The report stated, "The use of chemicals in the agricultural and industrial sectors is growing while control mechanisms are ineffective making Thailand rank first in the world in the use of registered chemicals in agriculture."