Cassava industry overcoming challenges: Prospects of the HL-RS15 cassava variety

(VAN) After years of struggling with mosaic disease, farmers in Tay Ninh have regained hope as disease-resistant cassava varieties have begun to prove their effectiveness in the fields.

In Tay Ninh, cassava mosaic disease once severely impacted yields, causing significant losses for farmers. However, the introduction of new, adaptive varieties has brought a breakthrough. Among these, the HL-RS15 cassava variety is highly praised for its 100% resistance to mosaic disease, adaptability to Tay Ninh's soil, high yields (40-45 tons/ha), and stable starch content (28-31%). This variety, along with others like HN1, HN3, and HN7, offers strong resistance to major diseases such as witches’ broom, mealybug, and root rot, ensuring farmers' peace of mind and stabilizing raw material supply for processing. Farmers, like Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh, have seen improved livelihoods by adopting HL-RS15 and modern farming techniques. The Tan Chau Agricultural Extension Station is actively expanding HL-RS15 cultivation, with plans for over 120 hectares of seed multiplication by March 2026. This initiative aims to diversify cassava seed structure, increase economic efficiency, and reduce disease risks. Despite challenges like soil degradation and varietal deterioration, continuous research and breeding efforts by institutions like the Hung Loc Agricultural Research Center are crucial. They have selected six mosaic disease-resistant varieties, with HL-RS15 acting as a 'shield' to protect Tay Ninh's 62,000 hectares of cassava, securing its position as Vietnam's 'cassava capital' and fostering sustainable development for the starch processing and export industries.