Modeling Atlantic potato material area in Quang Ninh

Expanding the potato material area

Thirteen years ago, Orion Vina Food Ltd. Co (Korea) partnered with Dong Trieu City, Quang Ninh province, to implement the Atlantic potato cultivation project, aiming to establish a stable material supply area for the company. At that time, Binh Duong Ward assigned Binh Duong Agricultural Cooperative to take responsibility for the project's management and implementation.

Trinh Xuan Duong, Deputy Director of Binh Duong Agricultural Cooperative, explained, “To ensure stable production for farmers, we established a four-party linkage model involving the state, private sector, scientists, and farmers. On the enterprise side, we collaborated with the Institute of Agro-Biology to ensure a reliable supply of seeds, microorganisms, antifungal treatments, technical support, and a guaranteed market for the output. As for the cooperative, we act as the farmers' representative, signing contracts with the enterprise on their behalf, managing the distribution of seeds, facilitating technology transfer, overseeing production processes, and providing irrigation and soil tilling services.”

Thanks to this well-structured cooperation mechanism, numerous households have registered to participate, expanding the total cultivation area to 138 hectares. “So far, more than 1,500 farming households have signed up to grow Atlantic potatoes. According to our estimates, each plot of approximately 360 square meters yields a profit of around 2.5 million to 3.5 million VND, significantly higher than that of other winter crops,” Trinh Xuan Duong stated.

Since participating in Atlantic potato farming, many households have gained an additional source of income, improving their economic stability. Nguyen Quang Thanh, a farmer from Binh Son Dong, enthusiastically shared, “This winter crop season, my family planted 3 hectares of potatoes, with each sao (360m²) yielding about 600 kilograms. In previous years, the purchase price was 8,000 VND per kilogram, but this year it has increased to 8,300 VND per kilogram. Everyone in the community is thrilled.”

For the 2024-2025 winter crop season, the estimated yield of Atlantic potatoes in Binh Duong Ward is between 16-17 tons per hectare, with a total production of 1,500 tons. The expected revenue is around 13-14 billion VND, leaving approximately 10 billion VND in profit after deducting seed costs.

Exceptional economic efficacy

 At present, the Atlantic potato cultivation model is not only expanding in Binh Duong Ward but has also distributed to numerous regions throughout the province.  Trinh Xuan Duong stated, "We have introduced and transferred cultivation techniques to extend the potato farming model to other localities, such as Tien Yen, Dam Ha, and Hai Ha." regarding this expansion.  Some of these regions have already completed two harvests, and the cultivated land has exhibited satisfactory growth.  Now, there are intentions to increase production even further.

 For instance, the Atlantic potato cultivation model has been operational in Tien Yen District for three years, with a total area of over 30 hectares, primarily in the communes of Dong Hai, Dong Ngu, Hai Lang, and Yen Than.  Dong Hai, in particular, boasts the largest cultivation area, with nearly every household engaging in intercropping during off-peak agricultural periods.

 Nguyen Ai Viet, a farmer from Lang Nhoi village in Dong Hai commune, stated that the introduction of potato cultivation has provided local farmers with an additional source of income to sustain their livelihoods.  The cultivated areas have obtained high yields, with each hectare producing between 15-18 tons, thanks to the guidance of the Tien Yen District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

 The 2024-2025 winter crop season is anticipated to result in a total potato production of approximately 500 tons in Tien Yen District.  Because of the high economic efficiency, local authorities intend to expand cultivation to additional regions, thereby generating additional employment opportunities for farmers.

 Hai Ha District is also in the process of increasing the production of Atlantic potatoes, in addition to Tien Yen.  As per Nhu Van Hanh, Chairman of the Farmers' Association in Quang Thanh Commune, Hai Ha District, "This is the second year that Quang Thanh Commune has concentrated on contract farming for Atlantic potatoes to supply Orion Vina Food Ltd. Co (Korea)."  In comparison to other commodities, the economic returns are substantially greater.  The association will persist in its efforts to encourage and promote the expansion of potato cultivation, positioning it as a critical crop for the winter-spring season in the upcoming year.