Despite its economic value, for many years, sweet potatoes have been grown based on experience, on small, fragmented areas, so the income from Thanh An sweet potatoes is not high. With the desire to develop sweet potatoes in the direction of commodity production, creating highly competitive products in the market, in 2020, Thanh An commune authorities promoted and mobilized people to apply scientific and technical advances, building a model of sweet potato development in the direction of commodities.

Mr. Luong Quy Tuan, head of Doi Cao village, Thanh An commune, shared: Sweet potato is a traditional crop that has existed for many generations, easy to grow, low investment, and drought-resistant. However, in previous years, sweet potatoes were grown for livestock farming, not focusing on economics, and not considering this as a commodity agricultural product. Currently, the demand for sweet potato shoots and tubers has increased due to changes in consumer tastes, sweet potatoes have become a commodity, bringing high income to people.

This year, Doi Cao village planted nearly 30 hectares of sweet potatoes, including households renting additional fields to expand the area of ​​sweet potatoes. As one of the households with many years of experience growing sweet potatoes, Mr. Tuan said that sweet potatoes are easy to care for and have few pests and diseases. From planting to harvesting lasts more than 4 months. The care process only requires enough fertilizer and one hilling, then you can wait until the tubers are harvested. The sweet potato variety "white inside, yellow outside" is suitable for the soil and climate here, creating the characteristics of "Thanh An sweet potato". With a yield of 12 - 14 tons/ha and a selling price of 10,000 - 12,000 VND/kg, there was a peak period when the price of sweet potatoes reached 15,000 VND/kg. Each hectare of sweet potatoes brings in an income of over 100 million VND, the economic efficiency is 2 - 3 times higher than other crops.

The increase in the area of ​​winter crops, especially sweet potatoes, shows a positive development trend in the crop structure, helping to diversify agricultural products in Dien Bien district. To develop local agricultural products, Dien Bien district has implemented many mechanisms, policies and solutions to support people in expanding the area of ​​sweet potatoes. According to Mr. Pham Van Kien, Director of Dien Bien District Agricultural Service Center: Implementing the project to support the development of sweet potatoes in Thanh An commune, the Center distributed fertilizers, lime and pesticides to 8 villages and hamlets with a total planting area of ​​over 14 hectares (State capital supported 70%, people contributed 30%). Training on cultivation techniques, application of scientific advances in production, pest control and post-harvest preservation are organized regularly; helping farmers apply effective production methods, saving costs.

Aiming to make sweet potatoes a typical specialty product, Thanh An commune has been connecting with businesses and communities to actively promote and introduce Thanh An sweet potato specialties. At the same time, it has oriented and planned concentrated sweet potato growing areas; coordinated with specialized agencies to guide farmers on how to harvest, process, and preserve to ensure clean products when brought to market. Mr. Lo Van Chinh, Chairman of Thanh An Commune People's Committee, said: Up to now, the commune has planned more than 52 hectares of sweet potatoes. Although not yet recognized as a key crop, sweet potatoes are currently considered a strong crop of Thanh An commune, along with livestock and rice cultivation.