- HRD in OAE for AFSIS
- Statistical Survey
- Data Processing & Information System Network
- Economic Analysis
- Training
HRD in OAE for AFSIS
OAE counterparts continued to plan and implement the AFSIS activities. The project experts assisted their activities, including the Regional Training and the meeting of Directors-General of Agricultural Statistics and Information. Participants in the activities are limited to a small number at this moment. Wider participation is hoped for.
The ASEAD project experts assisted preparation and implementation of the Training Course on Statistical Data Analysis and Forecasting held at the AFSIT Center, OAE on 22-26 November, 2004.
The ASEAD project experts assisted preparation and implementation of the Meeting of Directors-General of Agricultural Statistics and Information in ASEAN+3 Countries and the Third Focal Point Meeting of AFSIS Project held in Yangon, Myanmar on 24-28 January, 2005.
The ASEAD project experts assisted the counterparts in preparing for the AFSIS Workshop on Improvement of the Quality of Agricultural Statistics to be held in Chiang Rai on 25-27 April, 2005.
Statistical Survey
The project continued to help OAE counterparts acquire higher levels of survey technology and know-how. ROAE counterparts also gained deeper understanding of survey methodology and increased capacity of guiding SKT through the second-year activities.
In the early stage of preparation for the paddy crop cutting, carefully planned pre-testing and pre-training were conducted. The precaution bore fruits in the implementation stage: The full fledged surveys proceeded without major interruptions or problems. Although the southern regions experienced the crop cutting survey for the first time, the work was completed smoothly there, too.
A new approach was employed for cassava and sugarcane crop cutting this year. Enumerators (SKT) were encouraged to conduct crop cutting of both crops instead of doing only one, thereby they get more experienced than otherwise. Training programs and the surveys themselves were conducted in an effective way. Pre-testing was conducted for maize and soybean crop cutting.
In addition to major food crops planned by PDM, yield of onions and pineapples were also surveyed by crop cutting in their major producing areas.
An area survey based on geographical information and field observation was planned and prepared. In March and April 2005, an exploratory survey was undertaken for planted area of pineapples.
A short-term expert（Mr. Sasajima） helped CAI develop a computer program to formulate the sampling frame for CAI surveys from the result of 2003 Census of Agriculture.
The project is now in the process of preparing a handbook of crop cutting methods (Q & A). It assembles new methods and experienced gained thorough the project activities. It is hoped that the book will help CAI to develop its own surveys in the future.
Data Processing & Information System Network
The crop cutting survey data processing systems were revised: they use a database system open to network through web sites. We plan to develop them as a complete database system in which questionnaire data of every year are stored and summation/ analysis facilities are provided. When completed, yield forecasting may be easily conducted by the system.
A data entry and reporting program for paddy crop cutting survey (using Excel macro programs) was developed. The project counterparts in ROAE conducted data entry using the program.
A short-term expert helped CAI develop a database system for sugarcane crop cutting survey data. The new system enabled ROAE to report the survey data directly to OAE, instead of sending the data as e-mail-attached excel files. “Real-time monitoring” of the data input by OAE became possible, too.
The new concept of sugarcane database system was introduced in revising cassava crop cutting database system. The project guided the ROAE counterparts to enter the data and report them to OAE.
OAE, in turn, used the same concept in developing pineapple crop cutting survey database system without further assistance from JICA expert. OAE used the online data entry facility attached to ORACLE database system.
A training course on the web-page development was organized for the ROAE personnel. A CAI counterpart guided ROAE staff as one of the lecturers..
Economic Analysis
Two counterparts (Director of CAI and Director of Forecasting Information Division) have reached sufficiently high technology levels. Other members of economic analysis group need further development of their capacity, which has to be attained urgently because the former two counterparts are quite busy in managing their staffs. For this reason, basic training was given to the new generation. In addition, efforts for upgrading counterparts' capacity have been made through training by the JICA expert and counterparts' own with various manners.
A long-term expert arrived in Bangkok in June 2004. He continued his work for building 2000 input-output table for the agricultural sector analysis, expanding, maintaining and updating the macroeconomic and agricultural commodity demand-supply models.
Agricultural Input-Output Table: The food consumption survey was conducted successively in 2003 and 2004 in order to get basic data necessary for Input-Output Table construction, followed by a previous year. Preliminary works of the reconciliation work has been carried out, including the estimation of production values and the export/import values, the collection, evaluation and transformation of the production cost data into input-output concept.
Macroeconomic Model: NESDB revised its macroeconomic indicators and published the latest economic data. The project collected these data and revised its own model.
Agricultural Demand Supply Model: A sugarcane model was developed in addition to those for rice, maize and cassava. The project continued to maintain/update these models.
As a part of training activities, core-group training was conducted in CAI. Experts were invited from NESDB to present the System of National Accounts to economic analysis group.
Training
Total of 11 OAE counterparts have been invited to Japan for the counterpart training. They gained knowledge and information concerning statistic and information. The programs also enhanced their willingness in project implementation.
Counterpart Training Course on Input-Output Analysis for Agricultural Sector was organized in Japan and 4 counterparts (including 3 on cost share arrangement). After returning to Thailand, the participants reported what they gained from the training to OAE colleague (more than 70 persons). This is highly evaluated as their efforts to share the output of the training among OAE staffs.
Paddy crop-cutting training was organized by all 9 ROAEs. The earliest was held in October 2004 and the last, in January 2005. ROAE counterparts played major roles in this training, giving lectures and guiding field practices. Training of SKTs for cassava and sugarcane was undertaken in 6 places covering areas of 7 ROAEs. ROAE staffs played major roles in organizing and managing the training although OAE staffs lectured.
A training program for Website building for ROAEs. A part of the lectures were done by an information system company.