Parble growers hit hard as root rotting jeopardises production

RANGPUR, Oct 14:  Parble (Potol) growers of Taraganj upazila in Rangpur district have become disappointed as the cultivation of the vegetable is severely been affected due to root rotting disease during the current season.       
The disease is wreaking havoc to many parble fields at different villages under the upazila before the eyes of the helpless farmers. It decomposes the plants and withers the leaves of plants, farmers claimed.       
According to sources the root rotting disease caused by bacterial attack is spreading in fresh areas and causing severe damage, though the farmers made repeated attempts to control the menace by spraying medicine frequently.     
The production of parble has decreased drastically in the upazila this season on account of the disease. As a result the farmers are incurring huge financial losses, sources alleged.
A number of farmers pointed out that necessary steps should be taken immediately in order to prevent the adverse circumstances.         
Azizar Rahman (60), a farmer of Chowdhurypara village at Alampur union in the Upazila told The Financial Express that he cultivated parble on 1 acre of land this season with the hope to earn a good profit. But his hopes got shattered when he found more than 50 per cent of his field got damaged because of the disease.    
They are not getting adequate advices and helps from the Block Supervisors (BS) of DAE and consequently they are facing serious difficulties in combating the situation, he added.     
Mondel Miah (48), another farmer of the Laldighi village said his 25 out of 40 decimal of land have been damaged owing to the disease. Leaves of plants are getting dry and roots are rotting rapidly. He sprayed medicine several times but got no benefit, he said.    
Talking to The Financial Express a number of farmers at different areas including Baniapara, Hindupara, Ikorchali, Dangapara in the upazila alleged that substandard and low quality medicine  have flooded the markets. Consequently they are often deceived by purchasing such medicine with little or no effect.
Expressing apprehension over the prevailing situation a good number of farmers urged the authority concerned to take effective measures so that they can get rid of the menace very soon.
Upazila Agriculture Office sources said the farmers are being given necessary advice to combat the disease. The farmers are also being advised to reach air and sunlight to the root of parble plants to get rid of the problem.

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