Spain - Storm destroys all apricots yet to be harvested in Caravaca

08.06.2017 380 views
The recent hailstorm recorded in the municipalities of Caravaca and Moratalla unfortunately had very negative consequences. It especially affected the districts of Barranda, Singla and La Almudema, where hailstones of two to four centimetres in diameter were observed.
Agricultural producers suffered the biggest problems, as both the rain and hail damaged the apricots that had yet to be harvested
Pedro Guerrero, head for the Nuts department at Fecoam, explained that this storm has affected "the little apricot that had yet to be harvested, as well as the olives that were now in the middle of the setting stage, which although still small, may have suffered a lot of damage," he lamented.
Guerrero also recalled that this hail has affected the cereal that was still unharvested. Lastly, he recalled that "at a foliar level, it has caused damage to all trees, and in the almond sector, it may have damaged the tree more than the fruit," explaining that "these losses of foliage caused by hail affect the tree's health at a time when it may be difficult for it to continue bearing the fruit it had in all its branches."
The vehicles that were circulating the roads in the area at that time were also surprised by the severe storm, which left up to 17 litres per square meter in an hour in some places. The drivers had to take refuge in petrol stations and restaurants of the area until the storm was over. In the hamlet of Barranda, more than half a dozen cars were damaged, as the hail broke their windscreens.
The roads also suffered the impact of the storm, especially the one connecting Caravaca and Venta de Cavila, as well as the access to some districts, where several dry riverbeds were flooded.
The authorities asked everyone to take all possible precautions.
Source - laopiniondemurcia.es
06.01.2026

India - Nagapattinam farmers protest against non-disbursal crop claims, bad seeds

The shocked officials from the revenue and agriculture departments attempted to hold talks with the protesting farmers, but the farmers continued to stage the protest. 

06.01.2026

UAE deploys AI ecosystem to support climate-vulnerable agriculture

The United Arab Emirates has launched an AI-driven ecosystem to help climate-vulnerable agricultural regions adapt to increasingly volatile weather.

06.01.2026

Von der Leyen proposes to unlock €45 billion for farmers to secure support for Mercosur deal

Italy and France have been pushing the Commission to grant more concessions on the agricultural policy budget.

06.01.2026

FAO Recognizes Pioneering Moroccan Research in Smart Agriculture and Water Management

The research focuses on innovative applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) in sustainable agricultural irrigation management, marking a major scientific win for Morocco.

06.01.2026

Crop Loss Deepens Food Insecurity Across Africa

Crop losses linked to climate shocks, pests and diseases are placing growing pressure on food production systems across Africa, say researchers from the Global Burden of Crop Loss (GBCL).

06.01.2026

India - Tea prices soar at Kochi auctions on reports of frost, crop loss in Nilgiris

Reports of frost impact, crop loss in Nilgiris coupled with the absence of last week sales due to Christmas has triggered tea prices to higher levels in Kochi auctions.

29.12.2025

Cyprus in state of emergency as foot-and-mouth outbreak in occupied north threatens livestock sector

The Agriculture Ministry has entered a state of emergency mobilisation after reports of Foot and Mouth Disease cases in a cattle unit in occupied Lapathos in the Famagusta district. 

29.12.2025

India - Uttarakhand farmers receive Rs 65.12 Crore insurance; new initiatives announced at state-level farmers' day

A state-level Farmers' Day dedicated to farmers' welfare and economic upliftment was organised in Gauchar (Chamoli). On this occasion, Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami transferred an insurance amount of Rs 65.12 crore to 88,000 farmers through DBT under the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme, the release said.