Agrarians of the republic traditionally begin mass harvesting of potatoes in the first days of September. And within three to four weeks, they complete all the work. But this season the weather has confused all their plans.
Since the end of August, torrential rains have been almost non-stop. In just five weeks, 400% of the monthly precipitation rate fell on the fields of the republic.
The start of the work was given only in the third decade of September, when the weather was clear for a few days. Cleaning is carried out in the most difficult conditions. Before entering the field, farmers have to choose places where cars can pass and bypass areas where there is water. The equipment slips and gets stuck in the waterlogged soil. The excavated tubers are literally pulled out of the mud, with clods of earth sticking to them.
Larger farms with the necessary capacities plan to wash potatoes before sale. But small farmers will have to reduce selling prices, since consumers prefer pure agricultural products at an equal cost.
By the second decade of October, about 50% of fields with crops were harvested in the republic. According to the forecasts of local farmers, with a successful scenario, they will have time to dig up all the potatoes no earlier than the end of the month. At the same time, there are fears that part of the crop will remain in the ground.
Despite the difficulties with harvesting, potato growers note that the crop yield this season exceeds the indicators of 2022.
