Ministry warns agricultural producers due to heat wave

Fresh Lemon

Yautia

Luis Gomez

Published Apr 7, 2022

The maximum temperatures that will persist in week 14 could range above 40°C. According to the analysis prepared by the Agricultural Strategic Information Center (CIEA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), the most affected departments will be Suchitepéquez, Petén, Quiché, Zacapa, and Escuintla. Due to these climatic conditions, MAGA issued a series of recommendations to agricultural producers to help them reduce the impact of the heatwave and avoid effects on crops and the livestock sector.

The maximum temperatures will range between 40.3°C to 41.7°C, effective 8 April. Some crops that could be at risk are corn, watermelon, macal, onion, lemon and grass. The latter could dry up, leaving some animals without food. For this reason, MAGA issued the following recommendations for both the agricultural and livestock sectors.

For example, the agricultural sector is recommended to leave the stubble or plant material from the previous harvest on the soil surface, to manage moisture and prevent erosion. Moreover, consider that high temperatures and low soil moisture favor the proliferation of forest fires and the formation of whirlwind-type wind phenomena. Adapt or build reservoirs to store water (preferably covered) or tanks to supply irrigation at critical times of the crop.

The livestock sector is recommended to provide shaded areas for animals to take refuge during the hottest hours. The quality of the water must be guaranteed (cover drinking fountains), due to the contamination that can occur in the water sources. Establish prevention and treatment plans for infections, diarrhea, parasites, and respiratory affections.