Agriculture in Costa Rica is under threat from the active Turrialba Volcano, which erupted in May this year. The volcano could potentially bury fields under a blanket of ash and turn rivers in to muddy torrents of volcanic mud.
Recent eruptions by the volcano, located 36 km east of the capital of San Jose, could affect local crops and dairy production, especially in the more elevated regions of Turrialba, Oreamuno, Tierra Blanca, Alvarado and Coronado. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is on high alert.
According to the latest figures, the ash presents a hazard for at least 261 hectares of crops.
The crops that sustain the most damage are mainly vegetables, though flowers destined for export are also being affected, said agricultural engineer Juan Manuel Cotera.
The latest report from the National Emergency Commission, issued on Friday 27 May, showed measurements detected a drop in the amount of ash emitted early in the day, after levels had remained steady since Turrialba's last major eruption on Tuesday night.
Source: news.xinhuanet.com
