On August 11–12 and 18, 2026, Mrs. Thunphitcha Theraratchanon, Director of the 2nd Regional Office of Agricultural Economics (Director of ROAE2 Phitsanulok), assigned Miss Panrada Tharuean, Director of the Agricultural Information Division, to conduct a field visit in Phitsanulok and Uttaradit provinces to rapidly monitor the situation and production conditions of fishery products (tilapia, catfish) using the Rural Rapid Appraisal (RRA) method. Preliminary survey results revealed the following:
- Phitsanulok Province: Tilapia is commonly farmed in cages in the Nan and Khwae Noi rivers (Mueang, Bang Rakam, Phrom Phiram, and Bang Krathum districts). Catfish is raised in earthen ponds and concrete tanks (Bang Rakam and Bang Krathum districts).
- Uttaradit Province: Tilapia and catfish are commonly raised in cages in the Nan River below Sirikit Dam (Mueang, Tron, and Phichai districts) as commercial monocultures, supplied to fresh markets for household consumption, and processed into sun-dried fish, pickled fish (pla som), grilled catfish, and salted catfish.
Farm-gate and cage-side purchasing prices in the area vary according to the size sold by farmers:
- Tilapia: Large/Jumbo size (800–1,000+ g), Medium/Market standard size (500–800 g), Small size (300–500 g).
- Hybrid Clarias Catfish (Big Ui): Large/Jumbo size (2–3 fish/kg), Standard size (4–5 fish/kg), Small/Curry size (6–8 fish/kg).
The data obtained from the survey will be recorded into the data system of the Center for Agricultural Information (CAI), central Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), to be analyzed and processed into provincial, regional, and national overviews, as well as utilized as supporting information for formulating agricultural policies and measures to plan future national agricultural development.
Photo/News: Public Relations Working Group, ROAE2 Phitsanulok