Jalpaiguri, 15th December: The potato cultivators are facing loss and are concerned due to blight in potato cultivation in the Takimari Teesta River Bank area of Jalpaiguri district.
As per reports, the area’s farmers have cultivated potatoes in about hundreds of bighas of land. However, most of the cultivation is on the verge of collapse and turning brown before the harvest. Additionally, several farmers have taken loans for farming. Consequently, the farmers are now concerned regarding the repayment of loans. In this regard, the farmers have urged the government for assistance to reduce the amount of losses incurred.
Speaking in this regard, Papiya Bhattacharya, the Assistant Director of Agriculture in Jalpaiguri, stated that the disease can be caused due to potato seeds, soil, and weather. She added that inspection of the field is necessary to ascertain the exact cause of the plant disease. Furthermore, she stated that the farmers possessing crop insurance will be compensated as per the department’s rules.