Thai Binh: Preserving seed potatoes with cold storage brings high economic efficiency

With the help of the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, after more than 10 years of implementation, Thai Binh has so far built 62 cold storage warehouses for seed potatoes, an average budget of VND 130 million / warehouse and public works. capacity of 30 tons / warehouse.

The preservation of seed potatoes by cold storage has helped the loss rate in seed preservation process to below 10%, increasing the yield from 10% to 15% compared to before. In particular, it helped localities take initiative in potato varieties in production.

The cold storage of potato varieties in Thai Binh province is built according to the motto "The State and people work together". In particular, the State supports from 30% to 40% of funding so many localities have registered to build. Typically Trong Quan commune (Dong Hung district) has built 5 cold stores with a total capacity of 150 tons; Van Truong commune (Tien Hai district) has 4 cold stores; Nguyen Xa commune (Vu Thu district) has 2 cold stores .

Mr. Tran Van Yen, Chairman of Trong Quan Agricultural Service Cooperative (Dong Hung District) said: In previous years, seed potatoes were preserved by scattering method (traditional method) so the rate of loss was missed over 60%. Whenever there is a scarcity of breeds at the beginning of the season, people have to buy seeds at high prices, not ensuring quality. Since the cold storage of potato varieties, the locality has been able to take the initiative. In addition, after planting, potatoes grow fast, the yield increased by nearly 1 quintal / rod compared to the traditional preservation method.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Rong - Director of Thai Binh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said: Potatoes are considered as a key crop of Thai Binh province, with an area of ​​over 6,000 ha / year, a turnover of over 80 billion. copper. This year, the province has allocated 2 billion dong of budget capital to assist localities in building cold stores. At the same time, the province is planning 4 regions of potato production, concentrated in 4 districts: Dong Hung, Quynh Phu, Hung Ha and Kien Xuong with the scale of each area ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 ha.