The Jordan Farmers Union (JFU) has highlighted a significant threat to the country's potato production due to late blight. This fungal disease, affecting nightshade family plants including potatoes, has been reported to cause severe damage in the Jordan Valley, with losses reaching millions of dinars. Over 10,000 dunams (1,000 ha) have already been impacted, further straining the agricultural sector already facing high production costs and labor shortages.
Despite the disease being known since 1850, its resurgence in Jordan presents a new challenge, with recent weather conditions promoting its spread across 80-90% of potato farms in the region. Efforts to control the disease using advanced pesticides have been hampered by labor shortages, forcing farmers to adopt unconventional methods such as employing female agricultural workers for spraying tasks. The outbreak has led to a significant reduction in potato production, with estimates showing an 80% drop, potentially causing shortages and price increases for consumers. The Ministry of Agriculture is conducting tests to address the issue, emphasizing the unique challenge late blight poses compared to other crops, where early-stage infections can often be mitigated.
Source: jordannews.jo