The agricultural production of the season that is coming to an end was devastated by the succession of weather contingencies: late frosts, strong winds during flowering, heat waves, lack of water for irrigation, hail and excessive rains.
Mayor Emir Felix, revealed in his opening speech of the City Council's regular sessions that, as a result of the weather, 80% of the apricot production, 85% of peach, 80% of plum for the industry and 30% of the grapes had been lost. According to him, this season was one of the most critical of the last fifty years.
Given this situation, Cristian Delpozzi, president of the Rural Society of San Rafael, said that they had to save the jobs in the districts and that the producers had to conduct the minimum labour to be ready for the next season, i.e. pruning and, eventually, the thinning of fruits.
Although some farmers are already included in government programs, such as the Jobs for Sustaining Climate Emergency program and the National Agricultural Emergency aids programs, the Rural Society proposed alternatives to the Government.
In this context, Delpozzi spoke of implementing a plan to subsidize the payment of workers, as "most surely, the owners will also be able to contribute something." They are also seeking help to fertilize the crops.
The only positive aspect of this situation has been the prices, which have increased due to the lack of fruit. "The peach and plum were at 7 pesos, and the quince at 2.50 pesos," he said.
Source: Unosanrafael.com.ar