Drought killing farming!
Tapachula, Mexico, Aug 22 (EFE).-
Two years of drought and a prolonged summer heatwave have devastated approximately 45,000 hectares of crops and grazing land along Mexico’s southern border. Some 10,000 farmers report they are on the verge of bankruptcy and are demanding that the government declare a state of disaster to enable them to resume planting.
Producers in the Chiapas municipalities of Suchiate, Tapachula, Mazatán, Tuxtla Chico, Metapa, and Frontera Hidalgo are reporting multi-million dollar losses due to a lack of rain. This has impacted 15,000 hectares of corn, 4,000 of soybeans, 15,000 of plantains, 3,000 of sugarcane, and 8,000 of cattle pastures.
Raúl Arroyo Alvarado, president of the Emiliano Zapata Ejido Union in Tapachula, told EFE that producers are facing the worst drought crisis in Chiapas’ history, warning that many have exhausted their resources after two consecutive failed harvests.
“We are calling for intervention from the federal, state, and municipal governments to act quickly and declare a drought disaster, which would allow us to access necessary support programs,” he urged.
According to Arroyo Alvarado, planting one hectare of corn costs approximately 12,000 pesos, an investment some farmers have made twice, only to lose everything due to the water shortage.
Rivers run low, farmers run dry
The water scarcity is also reflected in the rivers of the Soconusco region, where water levels have dropped to 10-20% of their typical capacity, according to regional Civil Protection authorities. They have also recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) during the current heatwave.
The National Water Commission (Conagua) explained that this phenomenon, known as the “mid-summer drought,” is characterized by reduced rainfall and increased temperatures, currently affecting regions such as the southern Mexican Pacific coast.
The crisis has forced some farmers to sell portions of their land just to finance new planting attempts, says José Manuel Ovalle Sosa, president of the David Rey González Ejido Union in Ciudad Hidalgo.
“Every producer is essentially bankrupt. After planting corn twice with no success, we have reached a point where some of our colleagues have had to sell parts of their parcels or property just to survive,” he stated.
The situation is particularly dire for corn producers. Adrián Nehemías Marquina Alvarado, representing farmers in Frontera Hidalgo, confirmed that almost the entire local crop has been lost, estimating that drought and heat damage account for nearly 80% of their losses.
“We call for aid and support from international organizations. If they have the resources, please help us now. Agriculture in the Soconusco region is suffering, and the community is struggling because they lack food,” he pleaded.
Farmers have warned that they may organize public demonstrations if they do not receive a response from authorities.
Government recognizes water crisis
The plea follows an agreement made in August between federal and Chiapas state governments to combine resources and programs to boost corn production and acknowledge the impact of the “water crisis” on crops.
Authorities have proposed coordinating support for fertilizers, seeds, supplies, and tools, while also considering increased federal intervention. However, technical teams are still defining the specific framework and aid packages for each region.
María Guadalupe Silva Pérez, a sugarcane producer from the Esperanza ejido, made a direct appeal to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
“We ask for your support during this drought and the severe economic situation our country is facing, specifically here in our municipality of Tapachula. That is what I am pleading for,” she expressed. EFE
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