Planting the tomato-potato breed is also more efficient as growers can produce more vegetables in a small area, said Nha.

In addition, tomatoes and potatoes would no longer have to be planted separately, saving time and taking better advantage of limited land.

Nha said growers could expect to earn VND6-17 million (US$315-895) per hectare from the crop, more than what can be earned from cultivating the produce separately.

The project was implemented over two years when Nha was a student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry. The plants were then tested in Da Lat.

Nha said that she was still continuing her research to one day provide the new type of plant to farmers on a larger scale.

VNN/SGGP