| Subsistence Farmers Crops Washed Out in Toledo West |
| Tue, February 13, 2018 |
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Last week we told you about January 2018's record rainfall in the Belize District. Well, February has brought unseasonable rain and floods to the Toledo district. Via phone, PUP Area representative Oscar Requena says that the floods have wiped out the riverside crops of subsistence farmers:...
Hon. Oscar Requena - Toledo West Requena
"In my area in Toledo West, I can tell you that you have in Aguacate over 16 farmers were severely affected by the flood. Meaning that their corn crops, their beans crop, were totally destroyed by the flood. You have to understand that during this time of the year farmers plant near the river banks because they do not expect floods around this time. I can also tell you that in San Benito Poite we have some farmers, I don't have an exact figure but farmers have also been affected by the flood. I have not gotten any reports from Jordan or Santa Terressa but it's highly likely because some of the farmers in that area, also farm there - the river banks and possibly Blue Creek as well. With their crops now gone, the farmers are faced with a very difficult situation, in terms of how do they provide for their families in terms of food and income."
Requena says that he wants NEMO to also compensate farmers form his area for loss of earnings.
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