According to the inputs gathered by farmers from several districts, in Machhiwara, Samrala, Khanna, Amloh, Nabha, Hoshiarpur and other areas, their potatoes have been rotting in the field before farmers could harvest them. It seems to be a full-blown attack by late blight; more than 50% potato crop in the fields has suffered extensive damage. Joginder Singh Seh, former chairman, market committee, Samrala, and a commercial potato farmer from Sehjo Majra village near Machhiwara of Ludhiana district, said that more than 60% crop in his 112-ha farm has been left completely rotten due to late blight attack. It is a big blow for potato farmers in the state. For the past many days, there was high humidity in the night which was extremely conducive to blight attack.

Source: Indian Express December 19, 2023 13:20 UTC