University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository NotiCen Latin America Digital Beat (LADB) 9-25-1991 Nicaragua: Report On Crop Losses Caused By Drought Deborah Tyroler Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/noticen Recommended Citation Tyroler, Deborah. "Nicaragua: Report On Crop Losses Caused By Drought." (1991). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/noticen/ 6423 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Latin America Digital Beat (LADB) at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in NotiCen by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LADB Article Id: 064891 ISSN: 1089-1560 Nicaragua: Report On Crop Losses Caused By Drought by Deborah Tyroler Category/Department: General Published: Wednesday, September 25, 1991 On Sept. 18, Mario Hannon, president of the National Commission on Basic Grains, told reporters that drought had caused the loss of 37,100 ha. worth of basic grains, including 22,400 ha. of the nation's corn crop. Bean, rice and sorghum harvests were also affected. Hannon said the western, northern and central regions of had sustained the worst damage. If the drought continues for another two weeks, he added, the government will implement an emergency program for these areas. National Farmers and Ranchers Union (UNAG) spokespersons countered claims by the Agriculture Ministry that cotton and coffee have not been affected by the drought. According to the UNAG, 8,780 ha. of cotton and 1,890 ha. of coffee have been lost. On Sept. 20, UNAG president Daniel Nunez said over 50,000 families were starving because their harvests had been devastated by the drought. The most severely affected communities, according to Nunez, are Santa Rosa del Penon and El Jicaral, Leon department; Teustepe, Boaco department; La Trinidad and Pueblo Nuevo, Esteli department; Ciudad Dario, Matagalpa department; and, Telpaneca, Madriz department. Natural Resources Institute (IRENA) officials attributed the drought to massive deforestation which has changed summer weather patterns. (Basic data from ACAN-EFE, 09/18/91, 09/20/91) -- End -- ©2011 The University of New Mexico, Latin American & Iberian Institute. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 1.