The head of the portfolio, Fernando Mattos, explained that the volume of precipitation is far from what was expected for this time of year.
He Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), Fernando Mattosexpressed his concern about the lack of rain in the countryside, and explained that the volume of rainfall that occurred is far from what was expected for this time of year.
In an interview with Telemundo this Monday, Mattos assured that the MGAP is still monitoring the situation with caution, since it is still “not even close” to what the weather conditions were like last year, which led to the greatest drought of the Uruguay in more than 100 years.
“It has not rained what we all expected, it is a (phenomenon of) Child strange because it has not had the volume of precipitation that was previously announced,” said the leader.
The MGAP is monitoring the southern part of the country at this time, which is being the most affected by the lack of rain. Regarding this, Mattos indicated that, although “there is no productive impact in sight”, he is waiting for the expected forecasts to materialize.
“We will see in the next week, around mid-February, if we have any volume precipitation,” Mattos pointed out in this regard.
“Some crops are in a critical stage”
According to the minister, the arrival of new rains at this time of the year “is necessary”, since “some crops are in a critical stage” and it is necessary to have rainfall to “confirm the productive potential that was designed at the beginning.”
Mattos explained that the crops most affected in this context are second-grade corn, as well as soybeans that require moisture.
The La Niña phenomenon could bring a new drought in mid-2024
The government portfolio is also studying these days new measures to help the countryside given the possibility that next La Niña phenomenon can bring a new drought in the middle of the current year, something that could force the declaration of an agricultural emergency again.
From the government portfolio they are already working on the possible scenario of water and fodder deficit, days after the end of the previous agricultural emergency (except for horticulture), which lasted for more than a year.
Source: Ambito
