The project, titled “BESOP - Pleiku Beyond Starch Optimization / Youth of Gia Lai - Creating Value for Vietnamese Agricultural Products”, is one of 135 nationwide entries selected for the finals and the only representative from Gia Lai to reach this stage.
Organised by the Ministry of Education and Training, the annual competition encourages students from secondary school to university level to develop innovative ideas and turn them into viable business models.
Developed by five students under the guidance of biology teacher Lê Thị Thùy Linh, the project focuses on optimising the starch value of sweet potatoes grown in Phú Thiện commune.
By applying scientific and technological methods, the team aims to improve product value and address long-standing challenges in agricultural consumption for local farmers.
The student team includes Nguyễn Ngọc Phong, Nguyễn Xuân Huy, Nguyễn Quỳnh Bảo Hân, Lương Quỳnh Anh and Đào Xuân Gia Khang. Their work spans the fields of agriculture, environment and energy.
According to team leader Nguyễn Ngọc Phong, the idea emerged from recognising the untapped potential of local sweet potatoes, which face limited value and unstable market demand.
Through research and experimentation, the team identified that sweet potatoes are rich in natural starch suitable for producing resistant starch (RS3), known for supporting gut health and stabilising blood sugar.
Using gelatinisation, cooling and freeze-drying techniques, the students developed a range of products, including pure resistant starch, coffee-blended resistant starch and fibre-rich baked goods such as cookies and snacks.
The process preserves the natural structure of resistant starch without chemical modifiers, preservatives or synthetic additives.
Beyond product development, the project aims to create stable market outlets and increase income for local farmers. “We not only want to promote Phú Thiện sweet potatoes but also solve challenges for farmers”, said team member Lương Quỳnh Anh.
Teacher Lê Thị Thùy Linh emphasised that the project was guided as a practical community solution rather than a purely academic exercise. She assigned roles based on each student’s strengths while prioritising personal growth and reducing performance pressure.
The final round of the competition is scheduled to take place in Hanoi in April 2026. The team hopes their project will extend beyond the competition and bring locally sourced agricultural products closer to the market.