Rice Farmers Lose Millions Due to Flooding

The floodwaters have caused serious damage to the agriculture sector. In the north, fields of sugar cane are underwater and last week, A.S.R./B.S.I. was forced to suspend milling until the weather improves and the waters recede. Rice farmers to the west were also affected by the heavy rains and floodwaters. In Blue Creek, recently planted rice farms are underwater. Farmers say that rice plantations totaling more than two hundred acres, which were scheduled to be harvested, have also been flooded.   C.E.O. in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Jose Alpuche says that this will affect the local market. According to Alpuche, the ministry has yet to determine the overall impact on the food stock in the country. 

Jose Alpuche, C.E.O., Ministry of Food and Agriculture

“At the moment we are estimating that about thirteen hundred acres have been impacted at various levels of growth. Some had recently been planted and smaller percentage or smaller acreage, I think it is over two hundred acres, were actually almost ready for harvest. It is something that we are doing, the number is on also to look at what that will yield both in terms of damage and also too as it relates to supply of basic food stuff.”

Jose Alpuche

Hipolito Novelo

“It will affect the local market.”

Jose Alpuche

“Yes it will. We are not sure what the extent of that will be because Blue Creek produces rice but so does Spanish Lookout and we do have some production down south. So it yet to be determined whether overall it will negatively impact food stock available in the country.”