DONG THAP PRODUCES SWEET POTATOES THAT MEET EXPORT STANDARDS

The sweet potato industry in Chau Thanh district, Dong Thap province is one of the industries selected for agricultural restructuring, the province is oriented towards production and processing according to export standards.

According to a report by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Thap province, the total cultivated area of sweet potatoes in Chau Thanh district was more than 3,400 hectares, accounting for 98.6% of the total area of sweet potatoes in the province, focusing on growing the most are in the communes of Tan Phu, Phu Long and Hoa Tan. Growing Japanese purple potato varieties accounted for 85%, the average yield of 34 tons / ha, annual output reached 115,821 tons, the value reached more than 367 billion. The sweet potato growing area in Chau Thanh district established 2 cooperatives, 2 cooperative groups and 2 associations of sweet potato production and trading.

In order for sweet potatoes to have export value, in the immediate future, Chau Thanh district will focus on developing the value chain through building production models according to VietGAP safety standards. The goal of supporting sweet potato farmers to achieve high productivity, quality, safety and economic efficiency.

Recently, Chau Thanh District Agricultural Service Center has piloted the model of reducing sweet potato production costs towards VietGAP by 2020 in Tan Phu commune with an area of 50 hectares, with 41 households participating in production. Participating in this model, the estimated cost of seeds, fertilizers, and care for the sweet potato crop is only about 22 million VND / ha, down about 10-20% compared to the old method.

When participating in the model, households were supported to use quality purple sweet potato varieties and to do soil, fertilize according to the process, record production diaries ... Using VietGAP using organic fertilizers Microorganisms help to stabilize the flora in the soil, thereby reducing disease pressure, reducing the number of sprays, helping to save costs and ensure farming health. The model also helps farmers to change old production habits and practices.

According to Master Nguyen Vinh Phuc - Sub-Institute of Agricultural Mechanics and Post-Harvest Technology, to maximize the potential of the potato industry, it is necessary to research and process a number of potato products such as: nutritional powder from potatoes, dried potatoes, vacuum processed potatoes, potato milk, potato wine, vermicelli ... This contributes to the creation of value added products, creating competitiveness for agricultural products. Besides, researching and investing in post-harvest equipment and technology; completing the process of preliminary processing, processing and preserving of potatoes; promote the application of mechanization in potato production.

Chau Thanh district is gradually producing OCOP standards for sweet potato processed products. According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Hiep - Director of Nam Huy Dong Thap Co., Ltd., previously, sweet potato growing areas in Chau Thanh were mainly planted and sold fresh. Currently, sweet potatoes are purchased by his company and many other companies to purchase and process dried sweet potato products, creating the value chain of the sweet potato industry; at the same time making quality products to achieve OCOP products (One product per commune program). In addition to drying for sale, sweet potatoes are also made cakes, jam and in the near future there will be many other products.

Chau Thanh district attaches special importance to planning areas for sweet potato production, step by step production according to standards for export, aiming to bring sweet potatoes into processing into high quality OCOP products. Directing from the raw material production field to OCOP product. At the same time, promote trade promotion activities; strengthening links between businesses and potato farmers; develop a variety of sweet potato products in association with the local OCOP Program.

Mr. Vo Dinh Trong - Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Division of Chau Thanh district said that in the coming time, to develop the sweet potato industry, the district will focus on maintaining the district's planned sweet potato area. Along with that, to focus on developing the commodity industry in the direction of linking production and consumption along the value chain, linking processing to develop OCOP products; strengthening state management in production and trading of sweet potato varieties; building collective brand for Chau Thanh sweet potato products./.

Source: https://bnews.vn/dong-thap-san-xuat-khoai-lang-dat-tieu-chuan-xuat-khau/188139.html

Publication date: March 02, 2021.