Dried corn prices have "hit rock bottom" in recent years
After more than ten years of growing tomatoes, this year for Ms. Nguyen Thi Van (Dong Tien 1 residential group, Bang La ward, Do Son) is the lowest tea crop. "Every year, the price of tourbi is from 15,000-17,000 VND/kg, this year traders buy low, the price of tourbi is sometimes only 3,000 VND/kg" - Ms. Van said.
According to Ms. Van, the disastrous price drop has caused many households to not harvest, abandon ripe coffee beans, and have full roots. Because the price of watercress is too low, it is not enough to cover the cost of hiring pickers. Ms. Van's family alone this morning (May 30), more than 1,000 of the 5,000 tomato trees grown in this crop, were cut down.
This situation not only occurred in Ms. Van's household but also in most of the tea growers in Bang La ward. Along the road of Dong Tien 1 residential group, it is not difficult to see piles of ripe, piled up on the roadside.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Kien - Chairman of Bang La Ward People's Committee - said that the whole ward has more than 30 hectares of tomato growing area, mainly intercropped with salted apples. This year, the harvest is estimated at more than 2,000 tons, equivalent to every year. The quality of the watercress is considered higher than previous years, the fruit is round, hot, and has few seeds.
However, tomato prices are 4-5 times lower than previous years, at times traders only bought them for 3,000 VND/kg. Meanwhile, farmers must sell from 7,000 VND/kg to recover capital. Therefore, this year's tomato crop has significantly affected households' income.
Connecting to support farmers in product consumption
To support farmers in consuming tomatoes and preventing traders from pressuring low prices, for about a week now, the leaders of Bang La ward as well as officials of departments, branches and unions have focused on connecting output. Returning from the salt field of Dong Tien 1 residential group, Mr. Nguyen Trung Hieu - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Bang La ward excitedly announced: "This afternoon, a customer in Nui Deo, Thuy Nguyen ordered more than 1 ton of tomatoes, they sent a car to pick them up. I also just contacted a university in the city, expected to get a large number... Just this morning, there were dozens of calls to buy ca for the people, I was very happy".
According to Hieu, thanks to the support and connection of tomatoes of leaders and officials from the district to the ward, more than 1,000 tons of tomatoes have been "rescued" for 7,000 VND/kg. More than 1,000 tons are harvesting or preparing to harvest next week. The Ward Farmers 'Union also sent a report to the Farmers' Union of District and City, proposed to support the opening of tomato consumption for people in Bang La ward. Along with that, the leaders of the ward People's Committee contact the City Women's Union, Thanh Doan ... Information and introduction of officials, union members and members about the program to support tomato products.
In the long term, the locality will coordinate with agencies and departments of Hai Phong City to connect with establishments and enterprises that have long-term demand for large quantities of tomatoes. On this basis, the locality will coordinate with specialized agencies and units to recommend people on the planting area as well as the care process so that tomatoes meet quality standards.
