Farmers in Nam Dan earn 60 million VND/hectare from red sweet potatoes.

Previously, the 3 sao (approximately 0.3 hectares) of fertile land belonging to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ty's family in Ho Son 1 hamlet, Van Dien commune, was used to grow corn. This year, after being introduced to the model and receiving training on the technical process of growing red sweet potatoes, Mrs. Ty registered to participate.

According to Ms. Ty, growing sweet potatoes requires less labor and material costs compared to growing corn or peanuts; mainly using well-rotted manure, without the need for pesticides, and after harvesting, yields more than 1.5 tons per sao (approximately 1000 square meters), resulting in a much higher income.Three times more profitable than growing corn.

Experimental planting model of the starchy sweet potato varieties Ha Nam Vuong 1 and KL 20209 in Van Dien commune (Nam Dan district). Photo: Thuy Tinh

In the winter of 2017, Van Dien commune collaborated with a business to select 1 hectare of arable land in Ho Son hamlet for a trial planting of two red sweet potato varieties, Ha Nam Vuong 1 and KL 20209. In addition to guidance on planting and caring for the crop, participants in the model also received partial support in terms of seedlings and fertilizer.

Through practical experience in production under unusual climatic conditions, affected by successive prolonged heavy rains, but thanks to raising the ridges and applying the correct production process, the sweet potatoes developed well. According to the evaluation of the model's results, after only 3 months of planting, 1 sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of sweet potatoes...With a yield of 1.5-2 tons of tubers, the profit reaches over 3 million VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters).

Mr. Nguyen Hong Hai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Dien commune, said that in the coming time, they will cooperate with businesses to expand the model in the area, aiming to transform the crop structure because the commune currently has an area of ​​other less efficient crops.

Currently, localities in Nam Dan district are focusing on expanding the area planted with red sweet potatoes. In the winter crop of 2017 alone, Nam Dan had over 300 hectares planted with sweet potatoes, including 20 hectares grown under a product buyback agreement model.

Evaluating the model, the starchy sweet potato variety yields 1.5-2 tons per sao (approximately 1000 square meters). Photo: Thuy Tinh

According to Mr. Ho Dinh Thang, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Nam Dan district, while one sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of corn in the winter crop only yields over 1 million VND per crop, growing sweet potatoes using this model can generate over 3 million VND per crop."Despite unfavorable weather conditions affecting production, assessments show that growing red sweet potatoes is highly economically efficient, yielding over 60 million VND/ha. In the future, the district will continue to direct communes to expand the model and coordinate with businesses to guarantee product sales," Mr. Thang added.