Latin American agricultural sectors implement drought mitigation measures

Agricultural sectors across Latin America are implementing various measures to combat water scarcity and the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.

In Chile, the National Irrigation Commission (CNR) delivered its first irrigation project in Empedrado to improve water security, while the Institute for Agricultural Development (INDAP) announced over $800 million in support for corn producers in the O’Higgins region. Additionally, programs are assessing irrigation infrastructure damage caused by recent weather systems in Valparaíso.

In Bolivia, farmers are calling for immediate contingency plans to prevent extreme drought in the west. Honduras is pursuing approximately 3,000 water harvesting projects to sustain livestock and crops, as the country faces significant losses in milk production and cattle mortality.

In Colombia, cocoa producers in Huila are being urged to adopt water-saving measures to protect future harvests. Meanwhile, El Salvador has introduced subsidies for livestock feed, offering concentrated feed at $10 per 100-pound bag to assist ranchers in drought-stricken eastern and central zones.