The Department of Agriculture reported that more than 1,300 hectares of potatoes had been affected in the last month by the hail and the diseases caused by this season’s rains.
The reports of damage correspond to the provinces of Yarowilca, Dos de Mayo, Huamalíes, Huacaybamba, Lauricocha and Ambo.
23 of the 51 reports of damages occurring between January 15 and February 15, took place in potato crops in the province of Yarowilca. According to the specialist of the Department of Agriculture, Teófilo Vidal, during the last month the incidence of accidents at the regional level soared, especially in the highlands, in Yarowilca.
He noted that 98 percent of the potato crops had been affected, which is why the Ministry of Agriculture is submitting reports of the incident, through the insurer, to pay the farmers their respective compensation.
Vidal also said there had been problems in wheat, quinoa, and vegetable crops but that, unfortunately, these crops weren’t covered by the agricultural insurance against catastrophes.
Recently about 400 farmers in the town of Jarpo, district of Chavinillo, who were also affected by the rains, have asked the Ministry to help them via the agricultural insurance against catastrophes for the damages to their potato crops.
In that community alone, 400 acres of potato have been affected by the late blight.
Farmers, led by the president of the community, Nivardo Santos Gomez, have asked the regional government to help them.
Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/
