With the assistance of TuMaMa, Tan Wei was able to get seed potatoes initially through the local County Agricultural Bureau and later from some larger specialized seed suppliers of greenhouse minitubers (G0) in Qu Jing, Xuan Wei and Xun Dian districts. The good quality of the initial seed permits him to sell seed locally of G2 and sometimes G1 to other farmers in the Zhaotong city area. The key varieties are: Qingshu 9, C 88, Weiyu 5, Xisen 3, and Xuanshu.
Farm management & crop production techniques
TuMaMaprovides technical support along with 10 agronomists that Tan Wei has now hired to do the job across all his many fields of potatoes in 4 main areas. Tan Wei rents land from farmers and hires the same farmers to do the work of growing the crop on a piece work payment scheme. The farmers must follow the suggestions given by the Agronomists who also calculate their piece work payments.
Sustainable production and storage of potatoes
Sustainable farming practices has so far eluded this farm as well as all the other farms in the area. Potatoes are grown every summer season year after year! Major discussions are being held as to how to improve the soils by growing rotation crops and intercropping with legumes. These possibilities are being evaluated with TuMaMa’s leadership.
Storage is still rudimentary with Tan Wei renting warehouse space in Huo DeHong Township of Ludian County as well as in Zhao Yang District, both in Zhaotong city. Plans are in place for Lucian county to build a large potato storage facility. Tan Wei plans to rent space in the facility for the short term and later build his own storage and handling/grading facility.
