Diseases in potato worry Patuakhali farmers

Potato farmers in Galachipa upazila under the district are worried as late blight and scab diseases affected the fields in the ongoing harvesting season.

Over 500 hectares of land have been brought under potato cultivation in this upazila this year, said sources of the upazila agriculture office.

"I cultivated potato on my two and a half acres of land and expected bumper yield due to favourable weather this season. But diseases in the form of black spots appeared in the potatoes during the harvesting season. Now I am worried about recovery of the production cost, let alone profit," said Nayan Majhee, 45, a potato grower of Muradnagar village under the upazila.

"I tried to save rotting potato plants by using pesticide but in vain. We are facing loss this year as many black and brown spots appeared on potatoes, reducing its demand to buyers," said Md Kuddus Mollah, another farmer of the same area.

Md Jakir Fakir and Jamal Pahloan of Panpatti village of the same upazila said they made profit of over Tk one lakh each by selling potato last year but this year they have to incur loss.

Contacted, Md Delwar Hossain, Galachipa upazila agriculture officer, said he found the diseases during visit to different potato fields in different areas.

"Dense fog, rainfall, cloudy weather, and use of additional fertilisers are responsible for these diseases. We are suggesting farmers to use pesticides as a remedy," he added.