Excessive rainfall threatens Colombian agricultural sector

In Colombia, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) warn of increased rainfalls for the months of October and November.

For the regions of Magdalena, Atlántico, Chocó, Boyacá, Cesar, Norte de Santander, Cundinamarca, and central part of Bolívar, they project an increase in rainfall between 10% and 20%. In November, rainfall will be even stronger throughout Colombia, with the highest levels in the Andean and Caribbean areas, and in the north of the Orinoquía.

August and September have been rainy, which resulted in saturated soils. In addition, the levels of the reservoirs increased, and the levels of the rivers reached the limit of overflowing, according to Eduardo José González, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd).

Excess rainfall directly affects the productive systems of farmers. The abundance of humidity leads to the spread of pests and diseases; soils lose nutrients which results in reduced crop yields.

To mitigate the negative effects of the rainy season, Colombian experts recommend paying greater attention to monitoring pests and diseases, carrying out preventive maintenance of drains or building them, maintaining all structures and implementing fertilization plans that ensure the necessary nutrition of the culture.

In addition, the governors have been called to activate emergency plans. The sectors of road infrastructure, transport, public services and recreation have been also alerted, due to the probability of landslides that can occur in the plain regions and Amazon foothills: Nariño, Chocó, Cauca, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Santander, Antioquia.

source: agronegocios.co; laopinion.com.co

photo: eltabloide.com.co