Felipe Carrillo Puerto farmers demand aid following severe drought

Farmers in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, are demanding government intervention to mitigate the impact of severe drought on their crops. A delegation of ejidatarios from various rural communities, including Tepich, Filomeno Mata, and Xyatil, submitted a formal request to Municipal President Mary Hernández and Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa.

The petitioners are seeking federal assistance to activate agricultural insurance to compensate for losses in milpa crops, such as corn, beans, and squash. Some farmers report that up to 90 percent of their crops have been lost due to a lack of regular rainfall in the three months following planting. The corn shortages are particularly concerning as it is a staple food for local Maya families.

The farmers have set a deadline of three business days for a response from authorities. They noted that while mechanisms for climate-related losses existed in the past, current resources appear insufficient. The request follows previous reports from the Secretariat of Agricultural, Rural, and Fisheries Development (SEDARPE) regarding the lack of comprehensive insurance coverage for drought and other weather phenomena due to limited funding.