Farmers in Nghe An province reap huge profits by collaborating on sweet corn cultivation.
Through the sweet corn farming cooperative, farmers in Nghe An receive support in the form of loans for seeds and fertilizers, and their products are guaranteed to be purchased, resulting in a profit of 50 million VND per hectare.
In this case, the family of Mr. Nguyen Huu Tinh, head of Dai Dong hamlet, Thuong Tan Loc commune, Nam Dan district, planted 10 sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of sweet corn, which is currently being harvested. According to Mr. Tinh's calculations, each sao of sweet corn yields about 6-7 quintals of fresh corn, which will be purchased directly from the field by a business at the agreed price of 4,300 VND/kg.
Mr. Tinh excitedly said: “Previously, on this alluvial land, we grew corn for grain to feed livestock, and some years we grew corn for biomass. The yield was unstable, and due to the lack of a market, the income was negligible. For the past two years, thanks to a partnership with a company in the North, we have switched to growing sweet corn as a commercial crop. The company provides us with loans for seeds and fertilizers, and we only pay them back after harvest.”
According to Mr. Tinh, during the corn planting and cultivation process, the company also sent technicians to closely monitor the fields, providing hands-on guidance to farmers on planting at the correct density and caring for the corn properly so that the ears would grow evenly and be large.
“Previously, corn yields were unstable, resulting in precarious income due to planting other corn varieties, buying seeds from unreliable sources, and relying mainly on experience. Now, with access to traceable seeds and technical guidance, planting is a sure success. From just a few households planting in the first year, this year, the entire village has 15 households planting on an area of 3 hectares,” Mr. Tinh added.
This is the second year that farmers in Thuong Tan Loc commune have implemented a model of linked sweet corn cultivation on alluvial land, covering an area of 9 hectares in Dai Dong and Hong Son hamlets, with 57 households participating. Like many other farmers, the biggest concern for Mr. Nguyen Huu Thanh, from Dai Dong hamlet, Thuong Tan Loc commune, is the market for his agricultural products.
“There were years when we planted pumpkins, but when harvest time came, the pumpkins were left in the fields because the price was low and there were no buyers, so we had to throw them away; planting glutinous corn also faced the same situation of ‘bumper harvest, low prices,’ so sometimes we were discouraged and didn’t dare invest in large-scale production. Planting sweet corn allows us to have the corn sold and also sell the stalks to livestock farms,” Thành shared.
Therefore, when participating in the cooperative model, what Mr. Thanh found most exciting was that the company guaranteed the purchase of his products at market price. With a stable market outlet, he boldly planted 4 acres of sweet corn; after more than 3 months of planting and caring for it, it is now ready for harvest, with a yield of 12-15 tons/ha. The corn is purchased by the company at a price of 4,300 VND/kg, bringing farmers 50-60 million VND/ha, with a profit of about 40% after deducting costs.
"This sweet corn model was implemented locally starting from last winter. This winter crop has proven successful in terms of yield and income. Therefore, in the coming years, the locality will continue to cooperate with businesses to expand it. Many households will soon switch to growing sweet corn on double-cropped rice land, harvesting it during the Lunar New Year, which will bring higher income," said Ms. Phan Thi Trang, Chairwoman of the Farmers' Association of Thuong Tan Loc commune.
According to assessments by experts, the model has initially proven effective, with sweet corn plants growing and developing quickly and healthily, suitable for the local soil conditions. The low plant height reduces the risk of breakage during cultivation.
This corn variety has a shorter growing season than traditional corn, by 10-15 days, making it ideal for intercropping and staggered planting. Average yields reach 750-800 kg/sao (approximately 2.5 times higher than traditional grain corn); estimated revenue is 10-12 million VND/sao; and estimated profit is 3-4 million VND/sao, 3-4 times higher than biomass corn.
According to the signed contract, the business purchases the corn directly from the field, buying the whole cob without needing to separate the husks or kernels, eliminating the need for drying. In addition to harvesting the corn, the stalks are utilized as animal feed.
