Nghe An has more than 250 hectares of potatoes linked to production and product consumption.

2 hectares of potatoes produced jointly in Tan Ky district are ready for harvest. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Last winter crop, Tan Ky district cooperated with enterprises to plant 2 hectares.potatoin Hong Son hamlet, Nghia Hop commune. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Luong - land and agriculture officer of Nghia Hop commune said: The purchase price was initially committed by the enterprise to be 7,700 VND/kg. Before planting, the enterprise gave farmers 100% advance payment of seeds and fertilizers, so farmers can feel secure in production.

“Currently, potatoes are ready for harvest, and evaluation shows that the yield is about 18 - 19 tons/ha. It is expected thatbusinesswill be harvested at the end of February. With such productivity, excluding costs of fertilizer, seeds, care, etc., each hectare of winter potatoes also brings farmers over 50 million VND in profit.

According to the business's assessment, with this number of tubers/roots, the yield reaches over 18 tons/ha. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Mr. Le Viet Quy - Head of Tan Ky District Agriculture Department said, the modelproduction links2 hectares of potatoes is the first time implemented in Tan Ky district. Although the weather at the beginning of the season is not very favorable, the yield is satisfactory, compared to other winter crops, potatoes have the highest income, this is a condition for the locality to continue to replicate the linkage model in the coming winter crops.

Dien Chau district is the locality with the largest winter potato area in the province, with about 120 hectares. Mr. Le The Hieu, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dien Chau district, affirmed that winter potatoes in Dien Chau can achieve a yield of over 20 tons/hectare. All of the more than 120 hectares of potatoes grown in the communes of Dien Phong, Dien Thanh, Dien Trung... are linked with production enterprises, so all products are purchased by enterprises at a price of 7,700 VND/kg. Because most of the winter potato area was damaged by floods and had to be replanted, it is expected to be harvested in March.

"From the time of seed supply to the care process, there are technical staff from the enterprise directly guiding, monitoring and preventing pests, so farmers can rest assured," said Mr. Le The Hieu.

Enterprises purchasing winter potatoes in Nghe An. Photo courtesy

According to the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, in the last winter crop, the province's plan was to link up to produce 500 hectares of potatoes, but in reality, only about 250 hectares were linked up. The entire winter potato area in the province has linked up to produce and consume products. The linked enterprise is ORION Food Limited Liability Company.

Linking for sustainable production is an inevitable requirement of commodity agriculture. Farmers come to businesses to find support for their products; businesses in the era of fierce competition also want to find raw material areas with large, stable volume and guaranteed quality. This is the reason for the two sides to meet each other.

Therefore, it is very necessary for local authorities in the province to proactively link with businesses to produce winter crops. In addition to the benefits both sides receive, building this link is essentially building a new consumption channel in the value chain by eliminating intermediaries between producers and businesses./.