"The outlook for 2019 is even worse than in 2018, when the El Niño phenomenon caused extremely dry conditions and a prolonged heat wave," says the report.
Nearly 300,000 Costa Ricans have water shortages and that number could increase, according to Alex Solis, head of the National Emergency Commission, which coordinates a committee to address the climate phenomenon.
A drought affecting several countries in Central America has caused significant losses in crops, affecting more than two million people, warned the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Environment Minister Édgar Gutiérrez confirmed the Discovery Costa Rica project already has all environmental permits, and said it will supply water with its own wells.
Nambí beans are tolerant to extreme drought conditions and high temperatures; they have a shorter production cycle and show more resistance to various diseases.
An investigation by The Tico Times and The Voice of Guanacaste into the management of the Tempisque River shows a history of neglect, faulty data and lack of enforcement of environmental and water regulations.
