(VOVworld) - Demand for organic farm produce has risen significantly in Vietnam, offering good prospects for businesses investing in the field, delegates said at a recent seminar in HCM City.

Le Quy Kha of the Institute of Agricultural Science for Southern Vietnam (IAS) said the global market for organic food and drink increased from 15.2 billion USD in 1999 to 80 billion USD in 2014 and was likely to continue to rise. Globally, the amount of organic agricultural land rose significantly between 1999 and 2014 but not in Asia, including Vietnam, meaning there was potential for the region.
Nguyen Cong Thanh, also of the IAS, said organic farming required uncontaminated agricultural land clearly separated from normal land, the non-use of pesticides and chemicals and record-keeping to keep track of product flow. With food safety being a top concern for both local and overseas consumers, organic agriculture plays an important role.
Successful organic models exist in Vietnam, including Thanh Xuan organic vegetables in Hanoi, vegetable production by Organik Da Lat, GreenFarm Vien Phu organic rice, and others.