The government is formulating principles and measures in quality management to develop and promote organic agriculture
Introduction: The government is formulating principles and measures in quality management to develop and promote organic agriculture, aiming to supply domestic demand as well as export markets.
Story: Agricultural promotion entrepreneurs and agricultural officials from the public and private sectors gathered for a two day meeting from July 14-15 in Vientiane to discuss organic agriculture development in Laos. This third Lao organic agriculture forum is being held to facilitate information and experience sharing among stakeholders interested in organic agriculture development in Laos.
Lao farmers began to embrace organic agriculture for commerce many years ago but most of them still lack basic materials and the technical skills to ensure their organic crops are commercially marketable. Laos has a good potential environment to produce organic crops for sale and export but currently most farmers are producing crops only for family consumption and some surplus sales to local markets.
It is said that, Laos is still struggling to compete with other Asean countries in agricultural development because of a lack of standards and quality management. To solve the issue, the country should focus on basic infrastructure and rules and regulations to govern the sector, in particular the standard of products and human capacity building. Despite the fact the government has been working to promote clean products by creating regulations and providing technique assistance, actual implementation on the ground is still limited.
After the government moved to promote clean agriculture, the department initially developed two systems, Organic Agriculture and Good Agriculture Practices to offer suitable choices for Lao farmers.
Source: Lao National Television News in English
Broadcast on 22/07/2014
