As a result of a resurgence of the flying locust plague that has been reported in recent weeks, Guatemala has decided to declare a State of Phytosanitary Emergency.
There has been a new outbreak of the flying locust plague identified under the scientific name "Shistocerca piceifrons (Walker)" directly affecting the department of Peten, so a State of Emergency is issued, explains one of the recitals of the Ministerial Agreement 18-2021, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (Maga).
Due to the new outbreak of flying locusts, farmers in the department of Peten report that the pest has destroyed large areas of corn and bean crops.
Days ago, the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) warned that a locust swarm entered Guatemala from the border area with Yucatan, Mexico.
After reports of flying locusts entering Guatemala from the border area with the Yucatan, Mexico, Salvadoran authorities have declared themselves on alert because of the threat they could represent to local crops.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) is prepared to face the threat of a flying locust (Schistocerca piceifrons piceifrons) that could cause damage or loss to crops in our territory, details an official statement dated January 12, 2021.
Because of the humidity of the soils, a phenomenon that was caused by the heavy rains generated by the passage of the tropical depressions Eta and Iota, local authorities warn that the crops could be affected by diseases and pests.
According to representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), crops such as coffee, bananas and vegetables could face the greatest risks.
Since the pest represents a threat and is capable of destroying crops in a very short time, moving large distances in one day, a state of phytosanitary emergency was declared in the country due to a significant increase in the number of flying locusts.
In Guatemala, onion crops were attacked by a virus transmitted by the pest Trip Tabaci, and it is estimated that between 50% and 70% of the crops that supply the local market have been lost.
Representatives of the Federation of Agricultural Associations of Guatemala (Fasagua) said that the problem was registered in production areas of the departments of Santa Rosa, Jalapa and Jutiapa, which supply the country in the season from December to May.
Because of the drought that is affecting several areas in Central America, in El Salvador, agricultural producers estimate that at least 6.3 million hundredweight of corn, valued at $39 million, have been lost.
Representatives from the Salvadoran Chamber of Small and Medium Agricultural Producers (Campo) said that due to the drought, which lasted up to 40 days in some areas of the country, they have lost more than 6 million hundredweight of corn, valued at $38.6 million.
Due to the disasters caused by the eruptions of the Fuego Volcano, it is estimated that losses in plantations in the three affected departments add up to over $12 million.
According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), the affected departments were Chimaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepéquez, where coffee plantations, basic grains, vegetables and fruit trees were damaged.
An overproduction of corn, wheat and rice in China and a record crop which is expected this year in the United States will continue to push international prices down.
While drought in Central America ravages crops of basic grains such as corn, it is estimated that this year China will have a reserve of 150 million tons of grain, "... including three of the most important crops in China: rice, wheat and corn.
The trust has become operational which gives loans with a term until 2026 and interest at 2% per year for smallholders and 3% for medium and large producers.
From a statement issued by the National Coffee Association of Guatemala:
With the amendment of the public deed which created the "Trust for financial support for producers in the coffee sector" with assets of $100 million; the National Coffee Association (Anacafé) can say: mission accomplished.
A mutant strain of the fungus is affecting 40% of trees in this country and is raising concerns due to its spread potential.
This aggressive variety of rust attacks the leaves of plants and reduces their productivity, and it finds better conditions in low-altitude sites, where it is warmer and there is more moisture.
Central America and Mexico produce about a fifth of the world's Arabica coffee, a quality grain preferred by roasters such as Starbucks. The presence of rust is a serious concern for farmers in the mountains or on the slopes of volcanoes, Reuters reported.
Climate problems in 2010 left $ 78.3 million in losses.
Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food reported damage to 80.262 hectares of crops and 567 hectares of forest.
"Out of the total losses, $ 65 million were crops, $ 7.8 million in destruction of irrigation infrastructure, $ 3.2 million in the livestock sector, $ 760,000 in forestry and $ 1.5 million in hydro-biological," reports Prensalibre.com.
The impact of the rain on 12k hectares is expected to cause a 2.5 million hundredweight drop in sugar production.
Armando Boesche, general manager of the Association of Guatemalan Sugar Producers (Asazgua), indicated that the 2010-11 sugar harvest is forecast to be 48.4 million hundredweight, 5% less than in 2009-10.
"The crops worst affected are located in the region of Escuintla, though there is also damage to plantations in Santa Rosa, Retalhuleu and Suchitepéquez, according to a technical evaluation carried out by Asazgua," reports Prensa Libre.
“Quesungual” is an agro-forestry method whereby the forest is not cut down. Instead, planting is done among dispersed trees that are pruned to allow light to filter in.
Hurricane Mitch’s path through Honduras in 1998 not only caused 10 thousand deaths, it destroyed 40% of the crop in the country. However, in Lempira, on the western part of the country, planting done through the “Quesungual,” method survived the forces unleashed by the wind and water.