Crop failure feared as late blight attacks potato fields in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Jan 18: Potato fields in different areas of Rangpur district have been seriously affected by the outbreak of late blight disease during this season, much to the worry of the growers.

The fungal disease caused by intense cold and dense fog is severely jeopardising potato cultivation in many areas across the region, making the cultivators apprehensive of a crop failure.

Sources said about 40 to 45 per cent of the total cultivated land has already been affected by the disease and the affected areas are increasing day by day.

The growers are failing to get rid of the disease even after applying medicine frequently, sources said.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Rangpur, some 53,930 hectares of land have been brought under potato cultivation in the district during the current season.

Raihan (45), a potato grower at Benughat village in Rangpur Sadar upazila, told The Financial Express that he has cultivated potato on two bighas of land but 50-55 per cent of his land has been affected by late blight disease.

He sprayed medicine repeatedly but got no results, he said.

Amirul, another grower of Alampur village in Taraganj upazila of the district, told FE that he cultivated the crop on three bighas of land this season. More than 40 per cent of his land has been affected by late blight disease.

He said that he had to spray medicine frequently to protect his potato fields from the attack of the disease.

But still he is facing difficulty to combat it. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the quality of medicines available in markets.

Expressing disappointment, growers alleged that earlier less medicine was required for potato farming but presently its use has increased to a great extent, resulting in huge financial loss.

DAE, Rangpur official sources said usually late blight or any other fungus- related diseases are a seasonal phenomenon.

They have already instructed the officials concerned to advise the farmers on what medicines are to be used and how to apply them properly to overcome the crisis.

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