Potential impact on production: Outbreak of late blight disease in potato fields

The Dhaka Times Desk The main winter crop is potato. However, due to the outbreak of late blight disease in the potato fields, there is a fear of a major impact on the production. However, the agriculture department says the prevalence of the disease is very low. If you get sunshine it will be possible to overcome it.

According to reports, late blight outbreaks have occurred in potato fields in various parts of the country due to persistent cold flows and dense fog. Due to which it is feared that the farmers may face huge losses. Moreover, this season's potatoes are sold in cold storage throughout the year. Experts fear that if there is a problem with potatoes in this season, it will affect the whole year. Although it is not understood because of new potatoes now, the price of potatoes will increase at other times.

Fulbari Upazila of Dinajpur is one of the places where this disease has been reported. Potato farmers in the area have become disoriented due to the outbreak of late blight disease in the potato fields. However, the local agriculture department says that if the sun rises properly after the fog, then the potato field will be saved from this disease.

Fulbari Upazila Agriculture Department said, in the current potato cultivation season, the target of potato cultivation in 1 thousand 2 hundred hectares of land has been set in 7 unions including the municipal area of the upazila, but the farmers have cultivated 1 thousand 410 hectares of land. Here, 210 hectares more than the target area of potato has been cultivated. These include Diamond, Cardinal, Ostrich, Desi and Pakri varieties of potatoes.

Agriculture officials said late blight disease may occur due to excess fog and cold flow. But till now the amount of late blight is very less. If the fog subsides in a short period of time and the sun rises properly, the disease may not spread further. However, the Department of Agriculture is monitoring the issues. Special attention is being paid to ensure that no major problems arise. Farmers are being assured not to panic in this regard.