Last week we told you about the deepening drought in the grain producing areas of Orange Walk South. Well, since then, rain has fallen on the Orange Walk District, just like everywhere else. It's come too late to save thousands of acres of corn - which are planted in May, June and July, but hopefully it can moisten the soil for the vegetables and beans that will be planted in the cooler months. Still, the drought has been a major and costly set back - and it could result in higher vegetable prices later this year, when the corps are harvested. That's bad news for local farmers who have to face contraband and consumers who could care less. San Carlos Farmer Max Hernandez asked consumers to work with them:..
Max Hernandez - Farmer
"The big problem for us is that we want to sell our product. They need to control the contraband or stopping the permit or special paper when we have our local produce. We need to stop the special permit to import vegetables. We have the same vegetables in Belize. When we harvest the corn, we go to the local market, we need to encourage the consumer that our vegetables in Belize is fresh and healthy."
Drought conditions are expected to ease by the end of November.
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