Hugo Flores, deputy minister, explained that the money will go towards replanting, renovating at-risk areas, and supporting the aquaculture sector, among other schemes.
The measure seeks to prevent a shortage of basic grains in 2012, and will be complemented by the duty-free import of 50,000 tons of white maize and 25,000 of red beans.
"The rains last month caused losses of 1.7 million bushels of maize (40% of production), and damage to the bean harvest estimated to be in the region of one million bushels (about 50% of production). In vegetables, there were 12,520 hectares(ha) damaged, out of a total of 18,093 planted (69% of national production). In fruit, 6864 ha were affected, from a total of 23 786 (representing 29% of domestic production). Bananas and papaya were the worst affected", he told laprensagrafica.com.
Source: laprensagrafica.com
More on this topic
November 2011
A decree authorized the duty-free import of basic grains, maize and beans, to ensure supply for the population.
By means of Decree 907, the MAG has been empowered to buy and sell seed and grain, bean and maize and materials for their production, in order to guarantee the price of the product and transfer it at a reasonable cost to the public.
October 2011
Crops of corn, beans, rice and sorghum have suffered the most damage after rains hit El Salvador for 10 days.
Government officials have assessed the effects of the storm on plantations throughout the country, and the results are not very optimistic.
The number of bushels of grains that were lost amounts to 1.6 million, as calculated by producers and the Ministry of Agriculture, who is in charge of the analysis.
November 2011
The National Assembly has approved the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget increase for the purchase of seeds for planting beans and corn.
With 71 votes, the Legislature approved the favorable vote of the Treasury and Budget Commission, to empower the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock with the special temporary provisions to ensure an adequate supply of seeds for beans and corn, as well as the materials required for their production.
September 2010
Though Salvadoran producers' forecasts were to exceed the previous year's harvest, the heavy rains have led to huge losses.
El Salvador's Farming Ministry (MAG in Spanish) had initially estimated that losses would be in the region of 30% for basic grains, in particular corn and bean.
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