Rayong Agricultural Occupation Promotion and Development Center

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.30–16.30

 

Rayong Agricultural Occupation Promotion and Development Center, located in Moo 3, Maenam Khu Subdistrict, Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province, serves as an important hub for agricultural learning and development in eastern Thailand. The center features a wide range of demonstration and experimental plots, including ornamental plants, fruit trees, perennial trees, local vegetables, medicinal herbs, and mushroom cultivation. It acts as a “living classroom,” offering hands-on experiences for farmers, students, and visitors to explore modern agriculture alongside traditional wisdom.

 

Established under the supervision of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the center’s primary mission is to research, test, and disseminate agricultural knowledge. It focuses on selecting plant varieties suited to the climate and soil conditions of eastern Thailand, while also serving as a training ground for farmers who wish to enhance their skills in sustainable agriculture.

 

Upon entering the center, visitors will encounter neatly arranged plots categorized by plant type. The ornamental plant plots highlight decorative species grown both for beauty and for commercial purposes. The fruit tree plots feature economically significant crops of the eastern region, including durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and longkong. Many of these fruit varieties are part of improvement programs aimed at enhancing productivity and disease resistance.

 

Another section is dedicated to perennial trees such as yang-na, padauk, teak, and rosewood, which demonstrate forest plantation techniques and forest restoration models. Meanwhile, the local vegetable plots display familiar household crops such as bitter gourd, eggplant, pumpkin, basil, holy basil, and chili—plants with high nutritional value that also serve as supplementary income sources for families.

 

The herbal garden is one of the most popular attractions. It gathers a wide selection of medicinal herbs including andrographis, turmeric, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and fingerroot. The displays emphasize the use of herbs in Thai traditional medicine, linking traditional practices with modern science. Visitors can learn proper usage techniques and appreciate the cultural significance of these plants.

 

The mushroom houses are another highlight. Here, visitors can learn step-by-step cultivation methods for oyster mushrooms, straw mushrooms, and lingzhi mushrooms. Training covers substrate preparation, making spawn bags, caring for the mushrooms, and harvesting. Farmers who attend training sessions can adapt these techniques to generate supplementary income or even expand into full-time mushroom farming.

 

Beyond plants, the center also promotes other agricultural occupations. Activities include stingless bee farming for honey production, making organic compost and liquid bio-fertilizers, and training in soil and water management. These initiatives provide farmers with tools to adopt environmentally friendly practices that ensure long-term sustainability.

 

The center’s economic and social role extends far beyond research. It empowers farmers with new skills and creates a space for communities and tourists to learn about food production from start to finish. Visitors can tour the plots, participate in workshops, and consult with knowledgeable staff, gaining practical insights into the agricultural processes that underpin everyday life.

 

Traveling to the center is straightforward. By private car, it takes about 45 minutes from Rayong City, covering approximately 35–40 kilometers. Head toward Pluak Daeng District along Sukhumvit Road, then follow local signs to Maenam Khu Subdistrict. Parking is available on-site, and the surrounding environment offers a peaceful rural landscape ideal for learning and relaxation.

 

Nearby attractions can be combined into a day trip itinerary. Visitors may pair a visit to the center with the Rayong Botanical Garden, Kru Kung Museum, or the Sunthorn Phu Monument. This makes the journey not only an agricultural experience but also a cultural and ecological exploration of Rayong Province.

 

In summary, the Rayong Agricultural Occupation Promotion and Development Center is more than a government facility. It is a comprehensive agricultural learning hub and an agrotourism destination where people of all ages can experience agriculture firsthand. With its combination of practical training, conservation, and cultural value, the center is an ideal destination for farmers, students, researchers, and families who want to connect with the roots of sustainable agriculture.

 

 

A: The center is open daily.

 

A: 08.30–16.30.

 

A: Visitors can learn about cultivating ornamental plants, fruit trees, perennial trees, local vegetables, herbs, mushroom farming, and stingless bee keeping.

 

A: Suitable for farmers, students, researchers, and tourists interested in agriculture and sustainability.

 

A: Individual visitors can walk in, but groups or study tours should contact the center in advance.

 

A: The most convenient option is by private car, about 35–40 km or a 45-minute drive from Rayong City via Sukhumvit Road toward Pluak Daeng District.