Chile: Drought gives truce to Coquimbo thanks to recent rains
The region of Coquimbo, in the north of Chile, has suffered severely the consequences of global warming, being affected by a severe drought. However, the rains this year, have given a truce and to date, there are accumulated 3 meters of snow in the mountains of the 3 provinces of the region (Elqui, Limarí and Choapa).
Andrés Chiang, Seremi de Agricultura de Coquimbo, told how the region will benefit.
"These last rains, in general, are auspicious. They are effectively giving a better condition both in the accumulation systems of the region, as in accumulated snow "Pointed.
The Seremi explained that from April onwards, the rains in Coquimbo have had a very particular tendency, "They have been concentrated in the southern part of the province of Choapa, from the mountains to the sea, and throughout the province the accumulation values are over a normal year".
A normal year in Illapel are 125 mm and to date, this year, there is accumulated 167 mm, a 20-30% more than normal.
However, he pointed out that this does not happen in Limarí or Elqui, but, yes, the rains were concentrated in the mountain range, which is distributed proportionally. To date there are already accumulated 3 meters of snow.
"The fortunate thing about this is that by having snow in the mountains, this becomes a natural reservoir, so we have guaranteed water not only for this season, but for 3 seasons".
Likewise, he indicated that the amount of water accumulated in the reservoirs is already reaching the 50% reservoir capacity in the region, which is 1.300.000 cubic meters, being the largest in the whole country.
"We already noticed in the fruit season 2015 / 2016 a recovery of the productive capacity of the region. The data shows that there was an increase in exports compared to the 2014 / 2015 season, "he said.
Better safe than sorry
Since the country is in the middle of winter, despite the fact that frost is still not happening in the region, it is still early to get rid of them.
"Generally, after the rain come frosts. Fortunately, there have been no frosts, we called on our entire network of beneficiaries to prevent in case it could happen ".
He indicated that above all, a good fertilization program must be had, so that the crops are prepared to face frost. He also said that it is important that, in terms of vegetables, producers take into account that when sowing is done in areas with a greater height and select the types of crops for these dates, such as chard, beets, spinach, broccoli and carrots, which are resistant to frost.
“If there is an imminent forecast of frost, they can sprinkle, that is, spray water on the crops, because in this way a film is generated that, when frozen, leaves the bud at 0 ° C and at that temperature it can resist, under this temperature, the danger begins physiological"He said.
"The drought is giving us a truce, what we have noticed is that this does not end with the drought, because the capacity of reservoirs has not been fully recovered. On the other hand, the data show that groundwater has not been recovered 100% either ".
"We must continue to take care of the water, and the call is to all the irrigation organizations, which have done very well, but we must maintain that water management capacity, in order to have 3 seasons and perhaps a little more, insured", He said.
Source: Fruit Portal
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