No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaCosta Rica approves $1 million in aid to farmers affected by unusual...

Costa Rica approves $1 million in aid to farmers affected by unusual weather conditions

Costa Rica’s government will allocate ₡600 million ($1.1 million) to assist farmers hit by extreme weather conditions that affected most of the country during the past year.

President Luis Guillermo Solís and Agriculture and Livestock Minister Felipe Arauz Cavallini on Tuesday signed an emergency decree that allows the allocation of funds to help the livestock, fisheries and beekeeping sectors in the provinces of Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Alajuela and Cartago.

Experts from the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry (MAG) attribute damage to the effects of an El Niño weather phenomenon, which in Costa Rica is usually marked by a decrease in rainfall in Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Alajuela. At the same time, Limón and Cartago usually see an increase in rains during an El Niño year.

Drought along the Pacific region caused ₡10.5 billion ($19.8 million) in damages, according to a preliminary report released this week by MAG officials.

A total of 2,118 hectares of crops were completely lost, while some 11,718 hectares experienced some kind of damage. In Cartago, however, excess humidity from the unusual increase in rainfall is causing soil saturation.

This condition mainly affects pasture and forage production on some 55,000 hectares at dairy farms and also provokes an increase in diseases in livestock, according to MAG.

The executive branch also reported that they will allocate additional emergency funds of ₡300 million ($567,000) in credits for bean producers, who also have been affected by weather conditions.

National Meteorological Institute forecasts for this year show that similar weather conditions will continue to cause drought in the Pacific region. Meteorologists also said these conditions could result in more wildfires across that area.

A total of 139 wildfires last year destroyed over 30,440 hectares, according to the National Commission on Wildfires. As of March 1, Costa Rica has seen 22 wildfires so far this year.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Identified as Key Maritime Route for Cocaine Trafficking

Costa Rica appears among the main maritime and aerial routes for cocaine trafficking between South and North America, according to the World Drug Report 2025 published...

A Costa Rica Love Story: From Rustic Cabina to Separate Dreams

My Tica wife and I have been together for over a quarter century. When we met, I was living a simple life here. Three...

An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

Chiquita Brands Leaves Panama Amid Protests, Talks Underway to Resume

Laid-off workers from the U.S.-based banana company Chiquita Brands said on Monday that they are hoping for the company’s return to Panama, after it...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica