A new organic vegetable market opened in Kampong Thom recently amid the government efforts to boost production of chemical-free vegetable and improve farmers’ living standards. According to Thiv Vanthy, director of Kampong Thom’s Agriculture Department, only farmers who have been trained by his office to grow organic produce will be allowed to sell in the new marketplace. He said chemical-free vegetables are in high demand across the country, adding that his department has plans to award certifications to farmers that follow organic techniques. Meanwhile, a similar market is expected to launch soon in Pursat province, with the company behind the Pursat project saying that the new market place was 80% complete and would open to the public in December. (Source: Khmer Times)