September 16, 2010
Vietnam to cultivate GM corn en masse in 2011
Vietnam will cultivate genetically-modified (GM) corn en masse from next year after successful trial cultivation, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture Bui Ba Bong on Tuesday (Sep 14).
Bong said that in comparison with regional countries, Vietnam has taken a step ahead in preparation for developing GM crops, especially GM corn. The country has accomplished short-term experiments and is now ready for long-term experiments from 2011.
He added that given current preparation, Vietnam will be enlisted in the global map of countries with GM crops from late 2011.
Le Huy Ham, head of the Vietnam Agricultural Genetics Institute, which is entrusted by the agriculture ministry to experiment various strains of GM corns, said that GM organism is the technology of safety to help produce food for humans and animals.
He added that GMO has been introduced for 16 years in the world with nearly 126 million hectares under GM crops cultivation now.
Each year, Vietnam produces between 1.1 million and 1.2 million tonnes of corn, which falls far short of the current demand of 1.5 million tonnes. Once the GM corn is multiplied widely from next year, the country will sharply slash corn import to produce animal feed.
Bong noted that after the GM corn, the country will also allow the cultivation of GM soy in the country by 2013-14.
In Vietnam, seven strains of GM corns have been successfully experimented by the Vietnam Agricultural Genetics Institute and will be cultivated widely from next year. These strains are highly resistant to pests and herbicide, according to the institute.
Meanwhile, after a sharp decline this year, Vietnam's corn imports is expected to rise by almost 50% in 2011 to a record 1.5 million tonnes amid strong growth in the poultry and animal feed sectors.
Vietnam's compound feed production is growing by almost 16% annually and is likely to be around 14.5 million tonnes in 2010, said Adel Yusupov, regional director for Southeast Asia at the US Grains Council.
