Your veggies, your choice

You go to a supermarket near your house.

One corner is dedicated to vegetables, fruits, and all things green. On your right side, you see basic vegetables like spinach, lettuce, cabbage, Napa cabbage, spring onion, cilantro, chilies, and limes. On your left side, you see exactly the same things, but with "organic" labels on the packages and at a slightly higher price. What will you choose?

Before you decide which veggies to have for dinner, let’s look at two common words used to describe vegetable products in Thailand: pesticide-free (“ผักปลอดสาร”) and organic (“ออร์แกนิค” หรือ ”อินทรีย์”). These two may sound the same until you really dive deep into the regulations. According to the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health regarding pesticide-free/safe vegetables, referencing Notification No. 387 (2017), pesticide-free vegetables ought not to exceed the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of pesticides and must contain no harmful types of pesticides. What this means is that pesticides might have been used, but not within the timeframe of harvesting; meanwhile, chemical fertilizers or hormone supplements may still be used.

It doesn't sound so “pesticide-free” now, does it? If we look further, we see that agriculture is not only about growing crops, but also the utilization of natural resources and the management of environmental and societal relationships with the surrounding land. In opposition to the growing use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in the 1940s, which left long-lasting harm to the environment, farmers, and consumers, “organic” agriculture came to prominence. Organic farming operates on the principles of health, ecology, fairness, and care, according to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) - Organics International. In short, organic agriculture should promote the health of people and the environment, abide by living ecological systems, care for the quality of life of those involved, and protect future generations through sustainable practices. Here are some practices of organic farming as specified by the ASEAN Standard for Organic Agriculture (ASOA):

• A farm cannot be called "organic" overnight. There is a mandatory waiting period to ensure any previous chemical residues have dissipated and the soil has begun to recover.

  • Annual Crops (e.g., vegetables, rice): Minimum of 12 months of organic management before harvest.

  • Perennial Crops (e.g., fruit trees, coffee): Minimum of 18 months of organic management before the first organic harvest.

• Soil is treated as a living system. Farmers are required to actively improve soil health rather than just replacing nutrients.

  • Fertilizers must come primarily from compost, green manures, and animal waste from organic sources.

  • Farmers are required to rotate crops to prevent nutrient depletion and break pest cycles.

  • Minimal tillage is encouraged to protect soil structure and biodiversity.

• Seeds and Planting Material must also follow organic principles.

  • Farmers must use organically produced seeds and planting materials when available.

  • The use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is strictly forbidden at any stage of the growing process.

  • Seeds cannot be treated with synthetic fungicides or insecticides before planting.

• Pest-control favors prevention over cure.

  • Using resistant varieties, timing the planting to avoid pest seasons, and maintaining buffer zones to protect crops from neighboring chemical sprays.

  • Encouraging natural predators like ladybugs

  • Only if preventive methods fail can a farmer use "botanicals" (plant-based extracts like or chili) or mineral-based sprays listed in the standard’s approved list.

  • Synthetic herbicides are 100% prohibited. Hand-weeding, mechanical cultivation, and mulching are the primary tools.

• Organic farm should be a part of the local environment, not an isolated unit.

  • Farmers are encouraged to maintain hedgerows, flowers, and wild areas to support local wildlife and beneficial insects.

  • Irrigation water must be monitored to ensure it isn't contaminated by industrial waste or runoff from conventional farms.

Now that you have all the information, what will be your choice of veggies for dinner?