Vietnam will cultivate genetically-modified corn en masse from next year after successful trial cultivation, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture Bui Ba Bong at a conference on Tuesday in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. 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.”

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, told the conference that “Genetically-modified organism (GMO) 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 and 1.2 million tons of corn, which falls far short of the current demand of 1.5 million tons. Once the GM corn is multiplied widely from next year, the country will sharply slash corn import to produce animal feed.

Deputy Minister Bong added that after the GM corn, the country will also allow for cultivating GM cotton and GM soybean in the country, and “the timing should be between 2013 and 2014.”

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.