Late blight disease hits potato

Potato farmers in Kurigram Sadar upazila are harvesting potato before its maturity period to reduce their loss this year.

They may suffer loss as late blight disease has attacked their potato fields and the market price is not good.

Ariful Islam, 35, son of Golzar Hossain of Kaley village in Belgachha union under Kurigram Sadar upazila, said, “I have cultivated Cardinul, Estaric, Diamond, Shagita and Ledyrosa varieties on 90 acres of leased land in Char Madhobram village of Bhogdanga union. Initially, the plants grew well as I used fertiliser and anti-fungal medicines.”

“The plants are around 65 days old now. One week ago, dense fog and cold caused late blight that affected the plants, especially those of the Ledyrosa and Shagiata varieties. About 25 percent of potato fields have been attacked by disease,” Arif added. 

“I have already spent about Tk 85 thousand (including land lease cost), even though the market price is not good. I think I may suffer loss, so I am harvesting the Shagita variety and selling it at Tk 280 per maund,” he said. 

Farmers harvest the winter crop before its full maturity to minimise losses. Photo: Star

Abdul Alim, 34, said, “I have cultivated potato of Cardinul, Diamond and Estaric varieties on 21 acres of leased land in Fakir Mamud village of Buraburi union under Ulipur upazila. I cultivated Estaric variety on seven acres, of which about 25 percent was attacked by late blight. I may suffer loss if the disease is not checked as the potatoes are 60 days old.”

“The price of potatoes is decreasing every day. I am selling at Tk 200 per maund now and hope to reduce the loss,” said Alim.

Kurigram Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Mohammad Kamruzzaman said, “We advise the potato farmers to spray anti-fungal medicines with power spray machines, so that the medicine can touch both sides of potato leaves. But the farmers use normal spray machine. As a result, medicine cannot touch the under parts of the potato leaves and cannot work properly.”

“There has been sunshine for two days. The danger period has passed and the fields will be harvested soon,” said Kamruzzaman.