Vietnam must move quickly to simplify procedures and encourage farmers to learn bio-technologies in cultivation, particularly in planting genetically modified crops, agricultural experts have said. 

Speaking at a recent conference on global prospects in using genetically modified organisms, Nguyen Van Tuat, Deputy Director of Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said genetically modified corn has been planted on a trial basis since 2007. From this test, seven samples of corn have proven to be insect resistance, while yielding double the ordinary harvest, although no pesticides were used. 

Tuat said the use of genetically modified plants has become an indispensable trend and has won the Government's approval. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has continued to complete procedures to allow the cultivation of such crops in the future. 

Professor Nguyen Lan Dung, however, said Vietnam is slow and too cautious in using genetically modified varieties on a large scale. 

"These kinds of agricultural products have appeared in the market for a long time. We've imported genetically modified corn, soybeans and soybean meal from the US and China . Why don't we plant these on a large scale, as they should be?" he asked. 

Many countries have used genetically modified plants for years and there has yet to be any scientific reports detailing risks to humans, animal health or the environment. Moreover, such crops have demonstrated their ability to resist insects and drought during test-planting in the country. 

According to Dung, complicated procedures and a bias about genetically modified plants are the main reasons for the delay in using biotechnology. 

"Scientists must show evidence which proves these plants are harmless to human and animal health. They are just like other kinds of crops", he said. 

Experts urged the ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development and Science and Technology should work together to reduce legal procedures and cooperate with foreign scientists to quickly apply the technology. 

Clive James, Founder and Chair of the International Service for the Acquisition on Agriculture Application (ISAAA), said that biotech crops are demonstrating their global value as a tool for poor farmers who faced decreasing water supplies and increasing weed and pest problems. Also, the effects of climate change would only continue to expand the need for this technology. 

he latest report by the ISAAA said more than 18 million farmers in 27 countries planted biotech crops last year. 2013 also marked the first-ever commercial plantings of drought-tolerant biotech maize in the US.