As the Central Highlands region of Vietnam continues to develop its agricultural sector, one crop stands out for its promising economic potential: potatoes. Since 2023, the “Potato Production Linked to Consumption Systems in the Central Highlands” project has been expanding, aiming to enhance the region’s potato farming while ensuring a steady market for the crop. Led by the Potato, Vegetable, and Flower Research Center, the project spans 34 hectares across Lâm Đồng and Gia Lai provinces, with 120 local farmers involved.
The project’s success hinges on a strategic approach that includes modern farming techniques, effective pest control, and the introduction of high-quality potato varieties such as Atlantic and TK15.80. These varieties were carefully selected and bred by the Potato Research Center, known for their resilience and high yield. The project is guided by a model that integrates research, training, and partnerships with reputable companies like Orion Vina and Tan Tien Agricultural Services Cooperative to guarantee both quality and market access.
As part of the initiative, the participating farmers received in-depth training on best practices for potato cultivation, from planting to pest management. This training has proven effective, with farmers now proficient in planting, fertilizing, and managing pests to meet industry standards. By the end of 2024, the project exceeded its production goals, achieving an average yield of 26.5 tons per hectare, well above the initial expectations.
This success is a direct result of combining traditional farming methods with modern innovations, including mechanized land preparation and harvesting. With low pest prevalence and effective disease management, the potatoes produced under this model not only meet the market’s demand for fresh produce but also adhere to the standards required for industrial processing. Farmers earned an impressive 262 million VND per hectare, surpassing the profits of non-participating farmers by over 26 million VND.
Looking ahead, the project aims to expand production to 300-500 hectares by 2025, introducing more farmers to innovative farming practices. This expansion will further strengthen the potato value chain in the region, ensuring that local farmers have stable markets for their produce while contributing to a sustainable agricultural economy in Vietnam.
The success of this potato production model in the Central Highlands exemplifies how combining advanced farming techniques, strong business partnerships, and value chain integration can lead to significant economic gains for farmers. The continued expansion of this model promises not only to boost the potato industry in Vietnam but also to create a foundation for sustainable agricultural practices across the region.
