Sustainable Development of Peri-urban Agriculture

in South-East Asia Project
(Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam RS)

Early success leads to promotion of grafted tomato technology in northern Vietnam

(February 20, 2006)

In 2005, the SUSPER project successfully transferred tomato grafting technology to Hanoi Seed Company (HSC), who produced and distributed grafted seedlings to 20 farmers within their network. Results from this pilot study are very encouraging.

Standard tomato crops usually struggle to survive in the rainy season, and 2005 was no exception. Tomatoes were scarce in the market and consumer prices were high. However, the HSC farmers who used the grafted tomato vines watched their plants produce good yields that generated high profits. Their grafted plants—with eggplant roots—resisted soil diseases and damage caused by flooding. Many of the farmers are still harvesting their crops.

This technology, developed by AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center and introduced into northern Vietnam by RIFAV, is expected to be adopted by additional private enterprises that will market the transplants to farmers and ensure the sustainable development of grafted tomato production in the region.

Farmers reap profits from tomato growing

(December 14, 2005) 

Excellent grafted tomato seedlings available

at Hanoi Seeds Company

(August 18, 2005)

Technique developed by the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC), experimented and introduced to farmers in Vietnam since 1998 by the Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables (RIFAV), grafted tomato onto eggplant rootstock can (a) survive 5-6 days flooding, (b) tolerate waterlogged soils, and (c) soil born diseases, such as bacterial wilt.

After 3 years on station experimentations and 2 years on-farm trials of grafted tomato, SUSPER project and RIFAV can present the following significant results of early tomato production in 2004 from 15 farmers (Le Phap – Dong Anh):

(1)   An average grafted tomato yield of 39.4 tons/ha, to be compared to 21 tons/ha of Hanoi tomato in the same year.
(2)   Moreover, grafted tomato allows farmers to produce off-season, when tomato price is about 60% higher than in peak season.
(3)   Therefore, farmers made significant net income, on average 1,624,000 VND/sao, or $2,870/ha, for an average of 6 months crop.

To make this activity sustainable, SUSPER project succeeded to transfer the grafting technology to Hanoi Seeds Company.

At the moment, about 27,000 very healthy seedlings are available for transplanting, with unit price of 350-400 VND/seedling. About the same number will be available next week.

Now is the right time to transplant your grafted tomato for an early production. The earlier farmers plant, the better the price and their income will be.

If you want to increase the incomes of farmers in your action areas, please do not hesitate to contact us or directly Hanoi Seed Company. 

SUSPER project team will also be very pleased to organize for you a field visit at Le Phap, where 26 farmers are renewing last year success story!

You are welcomed at:

Others 

• The frog business is hopping

• Regional workshop on vegetable MICS (Market Information and Consultation System)

• A perfect match

• Promoting safe vegetables in Vietnam

• Agriculture in Hanoi—A Model for Success

• SUSPER calls for safer poultry production practices

• Fishers net more profits using SUSPER nylon cages

• Fresher fish in Ho Chi Minh City

• Laotians want more local vegetables at market

• Technical Workshop and The 3rd Steering Committee meeting in Vientiane

MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS

TRAINING SESSIONS

Webmaster