A frost wave affecting areas in the western countryside of Hama has caused major damage to the potato crop in the villages of Kafr Nabudah, Tall Huwash, and Afamia, amid preliminary estimates of significant production losses. This comes following an inspection tour conducted by the Directorate of Agricultural Affairs and Protection at the General Authority for the Management and Development of Al-Ghab, aimed at surveying affected areas and assessing the extent of damage caused by the sharp drop in temperatures.
Husam Diab, head of the Plant Production Department at the General Authority for the Management and Development of Al-Ghab, stated in an interview with SANA correspondent on Monday that initial damages are very severe, especially as the crop is currently in the growth and tuber swelling stage. He pointed out that damage rates varied among planted varieties, with some showing greater resistance to frost while others suffered complete damage, noting that the Authority will complete the survey of affected areas and varieties tomorrow.
Details of Damages and Estimates
Diab explained that the area planted with potatoes amounts to 1,286 hectares, with expected production reaching 23,603 tons from the Al-Ghab region, although productivity has begun to decline. He emphasized the need to wait several days to assess the extent to which varieties showing initial resistance were affected, indicating that the extent of damages will be determined according to the report to be issued by the General Authority for the Management and Development of Al-Ghab.
For his part, farmer Abdul Qader Al-Qasim from Kafr Nabudah stated that damages in his field, covering an area of about 15 dunums, exceeded 80 percent. He clarified that the Spunta variety suffered near-total destruction, while the Agria variety showed relative resistance to frost despite suffering significant damage. Farmer Saleh Bakour also noted that his planted area amounts to about 60 dunums, and the crop was in good condition before the frost, but the field suffered damages exceeding 80 percent despite attempts to operate irrigation to mitigate the impact.
Impact of Frost on Farmers
Meanwhile, farmer Hilal Al-Sheikh from Kafr Nabudah village pointed out that the frost caused major damage that wiped out most of the potato crop among farmers in the village. Several governorates are currently experiencing a frost wave and a noticeable drop in temperatures, which has led to widespread damage to agricultural crops, especially the autumn crop of potatoes, negatively reflecting on the total production quantity in the region.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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