Farmers in Deoghar who are preparing to cultivate potatoes and aiming for a high yield need to understand that focusing solely on preparing the field is not enough. Knowing the exact quality and variety of the seeds being planted in the soil is equally important. Often, farmers do not pay adequate attention to seed quality at the time of purchase, which can directly and negatively impact the overall crop production. Therefore, keeping several crucial factors in mind before sowing potatoes is absolutely essential. Deoghar agricultural expert Ambika Kushwaha explains that from preparing the field to selecting the right seeds, caution must be exercised at every single step. Farmers should particularly avoid using diseased seeds, as a healthy seed is always the fundamental foundation of a good crop.
Proper Field Preparation and Soil Condition
Ambika Kushwaha notes that whenever farmers plan to undertake potato cultivation, they must first get their fields thoroughly ready. The field should be tilled properly after mixing in well-decomposed cow dung manure so that the soil becomes loose and crumbly. Loose soil creates highly favorable conditions for the natural development of potato tubers. Therefore, instead of rushing to prepare the field and sowing directly, paying close attention to the soil health is mandatory. After applying manure and plowing the field, the condition of the soil should be inspected to ensure there are no hindrances to tuber growth during the sowing phase.
Selecting Healthy Seeds and Quality Identification
After finishing the field preparation, the most critical task is choosing the right potato seeds. According to agricultural expert Ambika Kushwaha, farmers should always opt for disease-free and healthy seeds. If a seed shows symptoms of any disease or is rotted, planting it in the field must be avoided at all costs. Sometimes, attracted by lower prices, farmers purchase poor-quality seeds, but this negligence significantly increases the risk of losses further down the line. Hence, while buying seeds, one should prioritize quality over mere price. Seeds should always be procured from reliable sources, and complete information regarding their specific variety must be gathered beforehand.
Inspecting Seed Size and Eyes
While purchasing seeds, it is also important to pay close attention to their size and eyes. Ambika Kushwaha points out that the size of the potato seed should be carefully inspected during selection. According to her, the eyes of the seed should be slightly sunken inward, and the tuber itself must look healthy. However, relying solely on size or eyes is not enough to determine the complete quality of a seed. Farmers must also check whether the tubers have any rotting, abnormal spots, or other signs of disease. Purchases should only be made after acquiring proper knowledge about the variety and quality to prevent unnecessary trouble after sowing.
Seed Treatment Before Sowing
Ambika Kushwaha shared another vital point that treating the seeds before sowing is imperative. The correct method of seed treatment depends entirely on the type of disease and the specific product being used. Therefore, farmers should never use any chemical medicine without proper knowledge, and should instead carry out the treatment strictly under the guidance of an agricultural expert. Overall, proper field preparation, making the soil crumbly, choosing healthy seeds, and treating them appropriately before sowing are the absolute keys to securing a bountiful potato harvest. If farmers keep these factors in mind right from the beginning, they can successfully minimize the risk of crop damage caused by diseases.
