Potato yield lowest in 5 years

Women sorting out rotten potato on the premises of a cold storage in Nilphamari. PHOTO: STAR

The production has been the lowest in five years due to massive attack by 'late blight' disease in plants, Agriculture Extension Department (AED) officials said. The situation is the same in all the eight districts in greater Rangpur and Dinajpur, they said.

The slump in production has already hit markets. The wholesale price is Tk 700- 800 per 84 kg bag against last year's Tk 350-300. In the retain market, potato is sold at arong Tk 10 per kg against Tk 4-5 last year. The prices will soar further, traders and cold storage owners said.

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The cold storage are also facing potato crisis. Immature potatoes collected from lands are rotting.

Farmers cultivated potato on 16,495 hectors of land in Nilphamari, which is 1,475 hectors more than that of last year.

Immediately after sowing, farmers faced a severe blow when it rained heavily in the later half of October. Farmers in most areas in Nilphamari prepared lands again and sowed seeds. But when plants matured, it was late. Most potato fields were attacked with 'late blight' a wild virus that destroys plants in three-four days.

AED Plant protection specialist Ahamed Reza in Nilphamari said as plants turn yellowish and die within 3-4 days, most potatoes under the ground remain immature. After collection, immature potatoes start rotting with fifteen days and cannot be preserved.

AED officials said last year's production of potato was around 14 tonnes per hactare, which came down to arounf seven tonnes this year.

Managing Director of Mukta Cold Storage in Jaldhaka, Sayed Ali, said at least 30 per cent of his cold storage will remain empty this year as farmers ad traders are not giving reservation orders.

He said immature potatoes collected from lands would rot in cold storage within a short time.