This research project consists of two components. First, the project investigates determinants of the perception of food safety risk of vegetables in Lao, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  Second, it examines the effect of risk perception and other factors on the willingness to pay for organic vegetables in the three countries.

These two objectives have been achieved. Based on the data from a survey of 1999 consumers in Lao, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the researchers found that risk perception of vegetables was influenced by gender, perceived knowledge, perceived consequences of hazards, risk information acquisition, perceived importance of vegetables, trust in institutions and the presence of homegrown vegetables. Willingness to pay for organic vegetables was determined by the country, the region of residence, family income, risk perception of conventional vegetables, trust in organic labels, organic purchase frequency, and perception about the safety of organic vegetables.