Farmers' hopes to recover flood losses by cultivating potato may be shattered as vast areas of potato fields in Nilphamari are attacked with 'early blight' and 'late blight' diseases due to dense fog and chilly cold.
With expectations of good prices from potato as in last year, they deployed all their resources and labour to have a good yield but the prospects have dashed their hopes, many farmers told this correspondent during visits to different areas of the district.
Many of them also alleged that they are not getting proper advice from block supervisors in many areas on how to protect the crop. They (block supervisers) remain busy with issuing slips for fertiliser distribution, the farmers alleged.
With expectations of good prices from potato as in last year, they deployed all their resources and labour to have a good yield but the prospects have dashed their hopes, many farmers told this correspondent during visits to different areas of the district.
Many of them also alleged that they are not getting proper advice from block supervisors in many areas on how to protect the crop. They (block supervisers) remain busy with issuing slips for fertiliser distribution, the farmers alleged.
Crops specialist of the Agriculture Extension Department (AED) in Nilphamari Osman Gani said pesticide of Mencozeb group can be sprayed in fields as precaution against the diseases if damp weather continues for over one week.
Many farmers said they bought TSP and Potash at prices almost double the last year's.
Price of potato seed is also almost double last year's price.
Many farmers said they arranged money to cultivate potato by selling whatever Amon paddy they could harvest, cattle and even chicken.
Many farmers said they bought TSP and Potash at prices almost double the last year's.
Price of potato seed is also almost double last year's price.
Many farmers said they arranged money to cultivate potato by selling whatever Amon paddy they could harvest, cattle and even chicken.
