Concern has been raised that farmers are focusing on profits rather than the quality of their produce.
With a huge increase in demand some vegetable producers have been using large amounts of chemicals to increase productivity, at the expense of consumer safety.
One vegetable producer Mr Phaylad Simmaly, who lives in Thatkhao village, Sisattanak district, Vientiane, said he only uses tiny amounts of insecticides on his vegetables to prevent damage by insects, but avoids using other chemicals.
“If you use too many chemicals and insecticides it's bad for people's health and will shorten the life of the crop,” he said.
Mr Phaylad grows vegetables on 3,200 square metres of land and earns about 15 million kip a year from the sale of his produce.
Some other vegetable growers spray such large amounts of insecticide on their crops that they are in the ground for only one week before they are harvested for sale, he said.
Farmers should wait longer before harvesting their vegetables in order for their crops to be considered safe.
Mr Phaylad said the safety of produce should be paramount, because food is a necessity for everyone.
He has always ensured his vegetables are safe because they are eaten by his family members.
With an expected increase in demand for vegetables during the SEA Games, Mr Phaylad has urged growers who normally use dangerous chemicals to use organic fertiliser instead.
This would ensure the health of all participants and spectators at the games, he said.
When Ms Souphansa Sayyasith buys vegetables from the market, she has to wash them three times and soak them in salt water to remove the chemicals before cooking.
She said during the SEA Games farmers should be careful with the amounts of chemicals they use to make sure visitors to Laos stay healthy.
Officials have urged people to eat only organic crops for the benefit of their health and to discourage farmers from using large amounts of chemicals.
Many farmers in the area have applied to be members of organic groups that are producing food that is safe for consumption.
