Potato production to consumption workshop in Vietnam
The representatives from Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development (MARD) and Wageningen University and Research from Netherlands, The Dutch Agriculture Counsellor, International Potato Center (CIP) and various key players working in the potato sector attended the potato production to consumption workshop held by Fresh Studio Innovations Asia ltd., in cooperation with CIP on the occasion of sharing latest insights in potato disease management, production, market development and consumption in Vietnam / Asia.
The workshop is within the framework of 5-year PPP (Public Private Partnership) project “Growing out of poverty with potato” (2014-2019) between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Fresh Studio, Agrico, PepsiCo Vietnam and Wageningen University. With the objective of setting an example of a sustainable value chain for high quality potato in Vietnam, the project has been implemented for five years and has acquired promising achievements.
Using the value chain approach, four main components are included in project activities, namely supply, demand, supply chain development, and policy advocacy. On the supply side, the project focused on the introduction of improved production technologies e.g. new high-yielding and high-quality potato varieties, training of farmers and production advisors and mechanization of potato production. After five years, three new high-quality potato varieties from Netherlands (Sinora, Markies, Rosagold) have been successfully registered and introduced to Vietnamese market and more varieties are in the process of being registered. More than 40 potato production advisors and 2505 farmers (70% female) were trained in potato production. Next to that, farmers and traders were brought together in a series of field activities, after which more than 4.500 supply contracts were signed, of which 2.492 contracts were signed for table potatoes. Potato planting and harvesting were tested and introduced to local farmer.
To generate the market access for these potatoes, the project identified the consumer preference of Vietnamese consumers regarding potato. Based on consumer preferences potato varieties were selected and communication materials developed. The potato awareness campaigns highlight to Vietnamese consumers the nutritional value of potato. This campaign was followed by marketing activities under the Gia Dinh Ha Lan brand with the focus to promote potatoes grown in Vietnam from Dutch potato seeds.
During the workshop several speakers highlighted the increasing import of fresh and processed potatoes, this indicates increasing demand for these products and that Vietnam is not self-sufficient especially concerning potatoes suitable for processing.
Therefore, there is certainly room to further develop the potato sector in Vietnam through cooperation of all actors across the potato supply chain.
Source: Fresh Studio Vietnam