Drought in Huánuco threatens food security and crops

A prolonged drought in the high Andean areas of the Huánuco department is severely impacting the Huamalíes province. The water deficit has caused the loss of staple crops and large areas of native potato plantations that were sown in August.

Regional counselor Ricardo Prado García warned that the lack of rainfall, combined with high daytime temperatures, has destroyed agricultural plots across various altitudes. This situation poses an imminent risk to the food security of thousands of families, many of whom are subsistence farmers.

Local authorities have criticized the Huamalíes Agricultural Agency for failing to conduct field evaluations or coordinate with the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and district municipalities. There are growing concerns regarding potential shortages and famine as the primary sources of cereals and native tubers are lost.