”Growing out of poverty with potato”
Vietnam: Successful first potato season for Dutch program
Potato variety registration
In North-Vietnam and the Central Highlands in cooperation with Vietnamese institutes potato trials were established to test and evaluate 5 new potato varieties in order to get these potato varieties registered.
The trial results of this year were promising with all new varieties having a higher yield and better quality compared with the standard potato varieties included in the trials. It is expected that the registration the 5 new potato varieties will be completed in 2016.
Potato field days
To share the trial results with authorities (MARD), potato traders and farmers several potato field days were organised. The feedback of the participant during the field days was very encouraging as they liked the new potato varieties, because the yield and quality is very good. Farmers feel that the new varieties taste and smell better than the standard variety. Through consumer tests we will check if consumers have the same feedback as farmers regarding the new potato varieties. Farmers and potato traders expressed that they are very interested to test the new potato varieties and to cooperate with project to develop potato production in Vietnam.
Farmer training and extension
To train Vietnamese farmers in potato production Vietnamese training materials have been developed. Each training consists of 3 modules covering everything from selection of which variety to grown till storage of the harvested potatoes. Over 350 farmers (69% female) were trained during the potato season in the 3 training modules. The training took place in 4 provinces (Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Bac Giang and Bac Ninh) in North-Vietnam. Later this year farmer training in the central highlands (Lam Dong province) will start later this year.
Please visit freshstudio.nl for more information.