Drought in southern Honduras devastates crops and water supplies

Severe drought in southern Honduras, driven by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon, has devastated local agriculture. In the municipality of Marcovia, Choluteca, farmers report total losses of corn crops planted in May, leaving many without food or income.

The water shortage has also depleted wells, forcing some sectors to ration water every ten to fifteen days. Beyond corn, the drought is impacting sugar cane, okra, beans, and other essential crops. Currently, 103 of Honduras' 298 municipalities are under a red alert due to the lack of rainfall.

Local officials, including Marcovia Mayor Nahún Cálix, have requested support from the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) to implement drip irrigation systems to reduce reliance on seasonal rains. While the World Food Programme and the government have begun providing assistance, they maintain that a famine situation has not yet been declared.