Cultivation of potatoes in Daraa exceeds the plan by about 485 hectares and estimates to produce about 65 thousand tons

Daraa-Sana

The area of ​​cultivated potatoes reached 2150 hectares during this season, bypassing the plan of 1665 hectares by about 485 hectares, with estimates of production amounting to 64500 tons.

Assistant Director of Agriculture in Daraa, Engineer Bassam Al-Hashish told SANA Economic Bulletin that the current season witnessed an improvement in the cultivated areas and production, pointing out that the area planned in the last season amounted to 980 hectares and the implemented 1600 hectares.

For his part, Eng. Mohammed Al-Shahadat, head of the agricultural extension department in the directorate, explained with a similar statement that agricultural mechanization interferes with 80 percent in potato cultivation from planting through spraying to harvesting the crop, pointing out that the directorate through extension units and agricultural departments is following the general condition of crops and indicating that farmers Potatoes in Daraa can control the harvesting process according to market prices, given that the life cycle of the natural potato extends to five months from the beginning of planting until the end of the season.

The branch of the General Organization for Seed Propagation in Daraa secures the foreign seed varieties that are guaranteed for the spring and summer straps, while farmers demand granting them loans, providing fuel at low prices, securing fertilizers and pesticides at their specified times and reopening the door for export.

For his part, Vice President of the Agricultural Union of Daraa, Muhammad al-Jundi, pointed out that there are difficulties for potato farmers, such as the high cost of production requirements, insufficient fuel needed for the cultivation process and the high price of pesticides.

Qasim al-Miqdad

SANA Economic Bulletin