Potato growers in distress as blight hits crop

Officers suggested no measures to tackle the disease, rue farmers

Potato growers from the arid Kolar district are in a distress. For, potato, the winter crop of the region, has been again affected by blight disease.

Farmers who have spend money on potato cultivation are a worried lot as they fear a big fall in the expected yield. What is more bothering them is the apathy of the Horticulture department officials towards their plight.

Majority of the potato cultivation plots have been affected by the disease. But the officials have neither suggested measures to check the disease nor have they visited the affected fields, rued Srinivas Gowda, a farmer from Anthakatti village.

“Amid drought, many farmers have cultivated potato and capsicum expecting a good yield. But, the potato crop — hit by blight disease — is now withering away. To cultivate potato on an acre, a farmer spends at least Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000 is need to cultivate capsicum. But, now we are not even sure of getting back returns on investment,” said Gowda, who has grown potatoes.

The officers, at least, should advise farmers about what pesticides they have to use to check blight.

“With no help from the authorities concerned, we have brought pesticide on our own from the market. But, this has not been helpful in containing the spread of the disease.

We are not sure, whether that pesticide, really works. The apathy of the officers has made our lives miserable,” he added. Gowda urged the horticulture officials to check the sale of spurious pesticides, which are available a plenty in the market.