The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – According to National Meteorological Institute (IMN) data, a number of communities in Guanacaste registered rainfall levels below 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) in May, 2015. Liberia registered the lowest levels since 1967 with only 0.5 millimeters recorded.
The drought conditions in recent weeks in the Guanacaste region has resulted in lost crops and livestock, according to the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry (MAG).
The conditions has casued in the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry (MAG) and the National Emergency Commission (CNE) to begin an aid program to distribute animal feed and other supplies to assist approximately 4,000 farmers affected by the lack of rain in Guanacaste. Allocation of the program began with $2 million in assistance to regional farmers. An additional $2.2 million is planned for the second half of 2015 and into 2016.
Supplies of various seed types, baled hay, minerals and salts, molasses, dried fruit pulps, corn and concentrated foods, will continue through July of this year.
The National Cattle Farmers Corporation has received reports that over 200 cattle have died due to a lack of water this year and that up to 400,000 cattle could be affected by the drought conditions.
The rain or green season in Costa Rica runs from April 15th to November, but this year the first rains of any significance started at the beginning of June in the northwest province of Guanacaste, according to National Meteorological Institute (IMN).
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
Sam Jose, Costa Rica
