Scarcity of land for Thai farmers has been a major problem from past to present. Most worrisome is agriculture carried out in areas where rainwater is the main source of water. Farmers are exposed to higher risks and the rice yield is low and not sufficient enough for consumption.
Since 1989 A.D., HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, aware of this problem, conducted practical research on 16 rais 2 ngan and 23 square wah of land near Wat Mongkol Temple in Muang District of Saraburi Province. His Majesty also had a royally initiated center for management and development established that is under the supervision of the Chaipattana Foundation serving as a model to demonstrate agricultural development. The center coordinates work among the temple, locals, and the state and also promotes farming and ethical conduct among the people in the rural area. His Majesty hopes that, if successful, the center’s work can be used as an example in other areas. This agricultural development concept became known as the “New Agricultural Theory” before papers were officially published in 1994.
The royal concept of the “New Theory” is a methodology or principle in managing resources in fields or simply water and land for agriculture in small land plots to generate the greatest amount of benefit. And His Majesty proposed steps in implementing the new theory as follows: