Potato farmers in Rangpur are getting increasingly anxious as late blight, commonly known as potato blight, has spread swiftly through their fields after several days of heavy fog and severe cold weather. The disease is causing dark patches and blister-like lesions on leaves, which gradually dry up and wither, damaging the plants, a press release said.
The period between November and February is considered highly sensitive for potato blight. Experts say the disease spreads quickly under conditions of low temperature, foggy and overcast weather, and light drizzles.
According to agricultural specialists, late blight is a severe fungal disease. Losses caused by crop damage, excessive use of fungicides, and related factors result in nationwide wastage estimated at Tk 6,000 – 12,000 crore every season.
Farmers in different parts of Rangpur say the disease has struck just as potato plants were becoming healthy and green. Despite spraying fungicides in affected fields, many are struggling to bring the disease under control.
Earlier, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) had warned farmers about the risk of late blight. In a recent alert issued by the department’s Plant Protection Wing, it said the disease could spread extensively during the winter season and take on epidemic proportions. Farmers were advised to take advance precautions and follow necessary preventive measures to protect their crops.
Biplob Hossain Apu, a potato farmer from Taraganj upazila in Rangpur, said he cultivated potatoes on one acre of land, planting the crop on December 7. “The variety is called Stick. Because of adverse weather, we are applying fungicides and pesticides. This year the blight is more severe due to the weather, and the use of urea fertiliser has made it spread further,” he said.
He added that they are spraying chemicals according to advice from the agriculture office. “If the weather remains like this for another week, potato farmers will suffer heavy losses. We have not yet recovered from losses in previous years, and if yields fall again, farmers will face losses once more,” he said.
Abu Bakar, a farmer from the Serudanga area of Shathibari in Mithapukur upazila, said blight has appeared on the underside of leaves of young potato plants in his field. With dense fog and severe cold persisting, he remains deeply concerned about his crop. Despite applying pesticides as advised by the agriculture office, he is uncertain whether production will meet expectations.
Shahidul Islam, a farmer from Bogurapara village in Tambulpur Union of Pirgachha upazila, said he incurred losses in potato cultivation last year and planted potatoes on a smaller area this season. “When I go to the field on cold mornings and see plants affected by pests and disease, it breaks my heart. If this weather continues, there is a risk of losses again,” he said.
