Nghe An farmers busy harvesting potatoes

Farmers in Dien Trung commune (Dien Chau) harvest spring potatoes en masse. Photo: Mai Giang

On this occasion, in Dien Phong commune's fields, farmers are busy harvesting potatoes grown on a 20-hectare field, with 50 households participating.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan is harvesting 2 sao of potatoes and said: In the winter-spring crop, the commune cooperated with enterprises to bring Atlantic potato varieties for people to grow. With 30% support for seeds, fertilizers, and training in planting techniques, people feel secure in production. Ms. Lan's family's potato yield reached 1.2 tons/sao, selling for 6,000 VND/kg.

In the spring crop of 2019, the entire Dien Chau district planted about 40 hectares of potatoes, of which 20 hectares in Dien Phong, Dien Hoang and Dien Trung communes were linked with the company. Photo: Mai Giang

In Dien Trung commune, people planted 3 hectares of new potato varieties. Potatoes are suitable for the soil, and can be harvested after only 90 days of planting; currently farmers are harvesting en masse.

Mr. Le Van Khanh - agricultural extension worker of Dien Trung commune said: This is the first crop of Atlantic potatoes planted in the commune. Although people do not have much experience in growing them, the harvest yield is quite high.

Through evaluation, about 50% of tubers meet the standards for breeding with a selling price of 4,800 VND/kg (tubers for breeding are usually smaller); 50% of commercial potatoes with a selling price of 6,000 VND/kg; the model is showing that this is an effective direction in the close connection between the "4 houses".

This is the first crop of Atlantic potato grown in Dien Trung commune; the plant is suitable for the soil quality, and can be harvested after about 90 days of planting. Photo: Mai Giang

Participating in the linkage model, farmers are supported with 30% of the cost of buying seeds and planting techniques; despite many difficulties in the weather, the yield still reaches 1-1.2 tons/sao, with an average purchase price at the field of 6 million VND/ton, equivalent to 120 million VND/ha.

Enterprises buy potatoes directly from farmers at the price of seed potatoes at 4,800 VND/kg, and commercial potatoes at 6,000 VND/kg. Photo: Mai Giang

Mr. Le The Hieu - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dien Chau district said: Potato is a crop with seasonal advantages, less competition with other crops. Moreover, it is easy to care for, has few pests and is suitable for local soil conditions.

The district will continue to effectively maintain the joint venture potato growing model in the winter and winter-spring crops to contribute to the implementation of the Agricultural Restructuring Project for the 2016-2020 period./.