Promoting the potential from cassava

One of the agricultural sector contrary to the trend decline in value in the first quarter is the cassava industry. These are crops that can bring great opportunity to create jobs and increase income for people, contributing to the development of agriculture, economic development and social.

The potential of cassava Another event in 2013 is quite important for Vietnam cassava industry that Asian Office of the Managing Board Research Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have moved from Bangkok to Hanoi (on site Agricultural Genetics Institute). The reason for this move is the Vietnam office made strides in growing cassava and become the 2nd largest exporter in the world (after Thailand). CIAT hopes to put the Asian Office in the capital of Vietnam, a country with the most dynamic agricultural sector, will create conditions for more active CIAT. According to the MARD, in the first quarter of 2015, exports of cassava and cassava products reached 1.37 million tons, worth $ 420 million, up 24% in volume and 22.7% in value over the same period last year. According to Department of Horticulture, exports of cassava and cassava products are rising, the market is stable and good output. Forecasting, cassava consumption situation in the near future as the market continues to increase cassava consumption is growing strongly, especially the Chinese market using cassava to produce ethanol. Currently the total area under cultivation of cassava approximately 551.000ha. Compared with previous years, cassava productivity has improved, the national average reached 19 tonnes / ha. Cassava is grown especially in the provinces of North and Central Coast, but was still the highest yield in the Southeast region. Cassava is considered easy to grow plants, little cocoon of land, a little investment, suitable for many different ecological zones and economic conditions of the farmers. Vietnam has advantages in producing cassava, cassava plantation area ranks third after rice and maize. The role of cassava has been rapid transformation from being food crops become cash crops and the plants produce raw materials for biofuels. Cassava starch and Vietnam has become one of the 7 export prospects. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said: Cassava is not only trees reduce poverty, but also the plant can bring great opportunity to create jobs and increase income for people, contributing to the development of agriculture , economic development and social. However, cassava has been planted in extensive, low productivity. In the processing industry, crude production was still large and heavy dependence on a single market and there are risks; Now in domestic consumption remains difficult, restrictive. Confronting difficult According to CIAT, cassava development in Vietnam is not sustainable because the productivity gap between the world's major category. For example, while the yield of cassava in Xining reach 30-50 tonnes / ha, then many other places only 15-17 tonnes / ha. Even in Xining also differences in productivity between the two ways of cultivation: With the non-irrigated acreage, yield only 30 tonnes / ha, while the irrigated area added, the yield was 50 t / ha. The gap between productivity by improving breeding and transfer of technical advances have meant a lot of planning done without expanding the area but still achieve a high starch. Another difficulty, according to Nguyen Van Lang, Chairman of Vietnam Association of cassava, 85% Vietnam cassava production is consumed in one market (China), which many uncertain market and the export-sub rank. Currently China is investing in cassava in Cambodia is very strong. As China has the cassava from Cambodia, Vietnam will have a harder time consuming. Besides, the development of cassava in the country is still unsustainable, deforestation cassava, cassava extensive low productivity, environmental pollution in starch processing continues to be problematic. Specifically, from 2009 to now, Vietnam has emerged 2 new diseases and disease broom pink powder on cassava mealybug, was identified as the object pest risk potential serious threat to the Cassava production in Vietnam and drastically reduce the productivity, quality and yield of raw cassava. According to Le Huy Ham, Director of Institute of Agricultural Genetics, Vietnam totally could increase cassava productivity through process is intensive cultivation, seed, watering, fertilizing ... The problem now is the need room heater against disease, because if unsuccessful will decrease productivity. Typically Thailand fell 60% yield for these diseases. For sustainable development of the cassava sector today, need a stable planning material zones, should not extend too much cassava area. Next is to make a good material with new varieties combining intensive measures accordingly, ensuring the national average yield of 30 tonnes / ha. Besides, investors should focus on deep processing technology for the production of starch after Biofuels - ethanol, to reduce or not export cassava (manioc crude) market. Raised the point of MARD Minister Cao Duc Phat said that the study should continue, breeding higher yielding cassava. Minister Cao Duc Phat stressed: "I request the Plant Protection Department have drastically in the prevention of disease on cassava. Immediate intensification, increased productivity, increased irrigation and disease management. Next time, should strengthen extension work to disseminate the process of sustainable intensive farming; in manufacturing organizations to promote mechanization and mechanization is the main road link is formed larger fields ... ".