NARENDRA RAUT, OP

Potato growers across Koraput district are grappling with an unexpected crisis after Cyclone Montha left large portions of farmland underwater. The lingering effects of the storm have delayed harvesting and raised fears of rotting tubers, reduced quality, and financial losses. According to the Agriculture department, potatoes were cultivated on nearly 3,500 hectares under the kharif plan across major potato-producing blocks, including Dasmanthpur, Nandapur, Bandhugaon, Narayanpatana, Lamtaput, Semiliguda, Pottangi, and Laxmipur.

The crop had reached the harvesting stage, but continuous rainfall from the cyclone inundated large tracts of farmland, halting operations completely. For many small and marginal farmers who rely on potato cultivation as a key cash crop, the nat

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