GAP' classification for crops attracts Thai investors
GAP' classification for crops attracts Thai investors
Thai investors have become more confident in starting agriculture businesses in Laos to produce food for domestic and foreign markets after Laos gave the green light to the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) classification system.
‘Thai companies are beginning to invest but it will take some time before they see any real benefits, Vice President of the Thai Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association Mr Pathom Taenkam told Vientiane Times at a GAP products fair in Vientiane last week.
Laos is beginning to work under GAP guidelines and the country has large areas of agricultural land that are suitable for growing quality crops for sale and export, he said.
The GAP project in Laos has created a good opportunity for Thai entrepreneurs to get involved in produce marketing because Thailand is one of the major markets for Lao goods.
Laos and Thailand are closely linked countries with similar languages so people are able to communicate and understand each other easily, Mr Pathom said.
The government is focusing on infrastructure improvements, especially in road construction, to improve access to regional and international markets.
Mr Pathom said Thailand had extensive experience growing crops through the GAP method and all its crops were now certified as meeting Asean standards.
Improving the quality of agricultural products and creating food security in Laos will require more cooperation between the relevant government and private organisations.
Mr Pathom said he beli eved with cooperation between the Lao and Thai governments the production of GAP crops would develop in both countries and result in greater regional food security .
Laos has a limited numbers of farmers' groups capable of growing their crops to GAP standards as most of farmers have little understanding of the classification's requirement s.
Large numbers of farmers are still growing their crops using traditional methods, often only producing enough for their own family consumption.
But the government is trying to encourage farmers to shift from traditional methods and become commercial operations open to domestic and foreign investment.
In order to meet the high demand, Laos will need to promote GAP crops and increase the number of farmers producing them.
Laos has the potential, land and technicians to do this but still lacks an understanding of GAP techniques.
To guarantee the quality of the plants and food produced, the government is formulating new regulations to ease integration with other Asean countries.
One important regulation is the strategy action plan for Asean GAP.
Through the plan, Laos will become a safe and secure food source capable of supplying markets in the region and around the world.
vientiane times
