Chile: Frost losses in Limarí are estimated at 579 hectares
Farmers of the province of Limari that had been affected by the severe water crisis in the province of Limarí were also affected as a result of this week’s frost. According to the latest report of the local municipality crop losses in the commune of Monte Patria alone are estimated at 579 hectares.
Among the most affected plantations are green beans, with losses that amount to 61.2 hectares, walnuts with 277.53 hectares, melons with 3.5 hectares, watermelon, 2 hectares, tomatoes, 1.4 hectares, 1.25 hectares of red kidney beans, 0.7 hectares of beans and 0.5 hectares of potatoes.
The main regional export and the crop with the most cultivated area in Limari, table grapes, was one of the most affected as this sector’s losses amounted to 23,134 hectares.
The low temperatures burned crops of tomatoes, green beans, walnuts and potatoes among others.
The Secretary of the Ministry of agriculture, Daniela Norambuena, said that they had been checking the damage caused by this climatic effect on site since Monday. "Right now what we are doing is a complete diagnosis, not only of the amount of acres that were affected, but also measuring the possible effects that the frost could have had."
In the case of the vine, she detailed that although there had been important consequences there was still work to be done as farmers were expecting a second sprouting that depends on the weather conditions from now on."
She also said that the fruit’s quality might be affected, "we probably won’t achieve a premium caliber, which is what farmers look for in order to have better returns, but at least they’ll be able to save their fruit." It will all depend on agronomic management, she said.
She also said that the lack of water, coupled with the frost, would have negative effects on production levels.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Monte Patria, Juan Carlos Castillo, described the situation as dramatic and said that the losses would be in the millions as large exporters had been affected. "We already had considerable losses due to the drought, but now the situation is even worse, there’s not much that can be saved," he said.
A new frost is announced
According to a weather report from the Center for Advanced Study in the Dry Areas (CEAZA) a cold front system will greatly reduce temperatures during Saturday, Sunday and less likely on Monday morning.
Source: Diarioeldia