He Department of agriculture reported that, for the moment, the rains caused by the Tropical Storm Melissa have been favorable for the national agricultural sector.
The Vice Minister of Production and Marketing of the Department of agricultureEulalio Ramírez, led a survey tour through several areas of the south and explained that, so far, the rains have been moderate in most of the provinces on the southern coast.
The preliminary agricultural report, sent by the Department of Agriculture Communicationspoints out that the main negative effects are concentrated in communities of Peraviawhere several areas remain cut off due to rising rivers Ocoa and Nizao.
In San José de Ocoathe community The Pine Forest is isolated due to damage to local roads, while in Manaclar (Bani). “This demarcation is highly productive in coffee, poultry and pig farms, as well as other crops,” said Agriculture.
In Saint Christopher only minor damage has been reported, and in the provinces of Saint John, Barahona and Flints No relevant effects on agricultural or livestock production are reported.
Preventive measures
As part of preventive measures, regional brigades of the Department of agriculture They cleaned berms, irrigation channels and opened the main irrigation channels in agricultural areas, with the aim of avoiding damage during the passage of the phenomenon.
The agricultural authorities also ordered the temporary stoppage of land preparation work, due to the saturation and humidity of the soils.
Regarding the rice planted in the valley of Saint Johnit has already been harvested almost in its entirety and is located in drying process in warehouses, so no losses are reported in the production of the cereal.
Furthermore, some producers they made preventive work on their property before the arrival of the phenomenon.
Ramírez also visited high-risk areas and part of the Sabaneta damwhich is at its maximum flow. Water is currently being poured into the Virola hole at a rate of 13 millimeters per second, in addition to the 10 millimeters that are extracted by the turbines for generation and irrigation purposes.
“Until now, the accumulated waters They do not represent a danger to food production, since abundant rains have only been recorded in the south; in the Cibao region and the north, the downpours have been scarce,” the official said.
