Laos urges more exports of organic products
Laos urges more exports of organic products
Business associations and Ministry of Industry and Commerce staff kicked off a two-day seminar in Vientiane yesterday aimed at improving understanding of the export of organic vegetables.
The government has been working with the private sector and international organisations to develop the capacity of business operators to promote, manage and develop organic rice and vegetables for export.
The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Cluster Development and Export Consortia, being held at the Economic Research Institute for Trade yesterday and today, endeavours to teach participants how to set up small and middle producer groups, how to analyse supply chains, and about the steps needed to develop the industry.
Ministry staff from the departments of SME Promotion, Domestic Trade, Import and Export and Trade and Product Promotion met with representatives from the institute, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other business associations to discuss systems for exporting organic products.
S ME Promotion Department Deputy Director General, Mr Soutchay Sisouvong, said Laos had plenty of potential land for organic farming around the country, as most farmers grow their crops using only compost.
“But we still lack the necessary systems and mechanisms to grow produce for export,” he said.
Part of the seminar's aim is to improve the standard of organic products to an international level, and to help Laos prepare for the Asean Economic Community in 2015.
At present, organic producer groups only grow rice and vegetables for sale on the domestic market.
Vientiane groups sell their products at the organic market at the That Luang esplanade each Wednesday and Saturday, as well as on Mondays at Chao Fa Ngum Park.
Projects are being carried out across the country to encourage farmers to grow organic vegetables for their health benefits, including in Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Champassak provinces.
The region and world has recently seen a movement towards the consumption of organic products, as they are regarded as healthier than those grown with chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
Demand for such products is high, but they are more costly to grow.
The seminar was sponsored by the Mekong Institute, which is supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme and aims to promote access to the international market among countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
vientiane times
