Janakpurdham, Jan 21: Potato worth around Rs 80 million has been destroyed due to blight in Dhanusha district following the cold wave for the past few days.
According to the District Agriculture Development Office, Dhanusha, potatoes cultivated on 2,325 hectares of areas in the district this year, 10 per cent or 3,135 metric tonnes of potatoes was destroyed by the blight.
Planning Officer Surendra Goit said that only 28,249 metric tonnes of potatoes was produced this year.
The government has declared Jhatiyahi, Khariyani, Suga Nikas, Satokhar, bafai, Haripurharbara, Mithileshwor Nikas, Dhilla, among other VDCs as potato pocket area. Around 35 per cent farmers are involved in commercial potatoes cultivation in the district.
The government has been providing subsidy to potatoes farmers to make them self-dependent in potato farming.
Agro experts estimate that the blight would destroy more than 30 per cent potatoes in the district if the cold wave continues.
A total of 15.666 million metric tonnes of potatoes worth Rs 227.38 million was imported to Nepal from India through Plant Quarantine Check Post, Bhitthamod last year.
Consumers are depending upon Indian potatoes as the potatoes produced in the district could not meet the demands of people.
Potato production was not satisfactory in the district as it is still done in a traditional way.
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