For thousands of farmers, the potato harvest is more than a seasonal crop; it is the foundation of household incomes, food security and livelihoods across Plateau State. But a disease that can destroy a promising farm within days is once again turning the hopes of farmers into mounting losses. DASPAN DANJUMA examines the growing threat of late blight, the financial burden on affected farmers and the search for improved seeds and farming practices that could protect Plateau’s position as a major potato-producing region
Potato farmers in Plateau State are counting heavy losses again as late blight sweeps through major potato-producing communities, destroying crops and threatening livelihoods.
Late blight, caused by the fungus-like organism Phytophthora infestans, attacks the leaves, stems and tubers of potato plants. Under cold, wet conditions, it spreads rapidly and can rot a crop within days.
For more than a decade, wet-season potato farmers in Plateau have battled the disease. It often strikes four to six weeks after planting, wiping out months of labour and investment.
Hope dashed early this season
Last year’s relatively low incidence of the disease gave many farmers confidence going into this planting season. Some even cultivated more hectares, hoping for a bumper harvest.
That hope was short-lived. By June, just four to six weeks after planting, cases of blight began appearing and quickly spread to other farms. Some farmers, desperate for answers, blamed spiritual causes that they believed required cleansing.
Langs Gyang, Director of Agricultural Services at the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, dismissed the claim and attributed the outbreak to weather conditions.
“It is purely due to climate change. This year we are experiencing intense rainfall compared to last year. You know the blight thrives under cool weather and constant rainfall, which aggravates its level of infection and spread,” he explained.
The impact is evident on the farms. Despite applying fungicides, many farmers harvested far less than they did last year.
Danjuma Iliya of Konbiring Village in Ampang West, Mangu Local Government Area, said his output had collapsed.
“Last year, on this very farm, I sold 45 bags when there was no outbreak of blight. But this year, I sold only 17 bags, despite the fact that I started applying fungicide at five weeks after planting, twice every week,” he lamented.
Langs explained that continuous cultivation of potatoes on the same land over the years also makes farms more susceptible to infection, even where farmers apply fungicides early.
The situation is similar in Bokkos, where Ronald Bitrus Mabur’s harvest fell from 20 bags last year to just seven bags this year.
The financial toll is even more severe for farmers who borrowed money to finance their farms.
Mr Zuhuman Datal of Kerang District, also in Mangu LGA, borrowed ₦300,000 at 10 per cent interest for three months to finance his three-hectare farm.
“Because of the high cost of labour and farm inputs such as fertiliser and manure, I had to source a ₦300,000 loan in May at 10 per cent interest. My plan was that by August, I would harvest and pay back the loan, and hopefully buy some fertiliser for the maize. But now, I did not get even half of the money. I am confused; I don’t know where to start,” he said.
A resistant variety offers hope
Amid the losses, however, one potato variety is giving some farmers reason for optimism. ‘Connect’, a variety farmers say is resistant to blight, is recording significantly better yields in some farms.
Kenneth Da’ar of Ampang West planted eight bags of Connect seed and harvested 35 bags.
“I am among the lucky ones that had this type of seed, and I thank God for that,” he noted.
The experience is significant because it points to the importance of developing and making available potato varieties that can withstand the disease, particularly as changing weather conditions continue to create favourable conditions for its spread.
Agricultural authorities also insist that prevention must remain at the centre of the fight against blight.
Langs urged farmers to begin applying fungicides early, at two-week intervals, and increase application to twice a week when rainfall intensifies.
“Most farmers wait until the plant has started showing signs of infection before they begin to apply the fungicide. But what we want farmers to know is that most of the fungicides are more preventative than curative,” he said.
He also warned farmers against relying on sellers for dosage instructions.
“The problem with most farmers is that they rely on what the sellers of the fungicide tell them as to the quantity to apply, which is mostly incorrect and therefore renders the fungicides ineffective,” he pointed out.
The message is clear: farmers cannot afford to wait until blight becomes visible before taking action. Proper timing, correct dosage and improved farming practices could make a significant difference in reducing losses.
Government intervention, the road ahead
The Plateau State Government is pursuing longer-term measures to address the problem.
Langs disclosed that the recent launch of a new improved potato seed by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang was a major step towards developing disease-resistant varieties.
“The new improved seed is now with seed producers to mass-produce. In a year to come, this seed will be available to every Plateau potato farmer, which will bring an end to blight,” he said.
The state has also established a tissue culture laboratory in Mangu Local Government Area to clean infected potato tissues and produce disease-free planting materials.
“The potato tissue culture laboratory is primarily aimed at purifying the seed of infected potato varieties and producing multiple plantlets that will be further processed into disease-free seed for mass production,” Langs added.
The initiative is expected to reduce dependence on imported seeds while helping to preserve and improve local potato varieties.
For now, however, the battle against blight remains urgent. Improved seeds, tissue culture technology and better farm practices offer hope, but many farmers are already facing a season of reduced harvests, mounting debts and dwindling returns.
The immediate challenge is, therefore, to ensure that the solutions being developed do not remain confined to laboratories, seed producers or government announcements. Farmers need access to improved seeds, accurate information, affordable inputs and practical extension services before another planting season begins.
Plateau’s potato industry supports thousands of households and contributes significantly to the state’s agricultural economy. Allowing blight to repeatedly wipe out farmers’ investments could undermine not only individual livelihoods but the entire potato value chain.
Until more resilient varieties become widely available and effective disease-management practices are adopted on a large scale, late blight will remain a serious threat. The fight must, therefore, move beyond responding to outbreaks after they occur to preventing them before they destroy another harvest.