Panama lacks plans to face La Niña

Actualizado 2016/08/03 12:20:19

Redacción/ PanamaAmerica

Meteorologists from ETESA estimate that there is a 50% probability that the weather phenomenon known as La Niña will hit Panama this year. If so, this is likely to have a significant impact on national agricultural production.

The agriculture sector has already lost an estimated $100m due to the El Niño phenomenon, and authorities appear woefully unprepared to face La Niña.

The weather phenomenon is likely to occur between the months of August and October, leading to lower than average temperatures in the oceans. This is likely to increase precipitation is and humidity levels, raising the need for farmers to set up greenhouses and remain alert to new possible crop infestations.

According to Josue Batista, a meteorologist at Etesa, "the probability of La Niña has already dropped from 60-65% to the rrent 50%". He explained that "should it come to pass, it may be relatively weak and lead to only slightly above average rainfall in October and November".

Regardless, most Latin American countries are already in full preparation for La Niña, expecting their economies to be affected one way or the other. Luis Arce, Bolivian economics minister, fears that “La Niña could hit strongly”, and had the potential to damage economic growth.

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In Panama, the representative for the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede),Eduardo Reyes, has criticized the government for failing to provide basic information about what this weather phenomenon entails.

Explaining that plague-resistant crops may be required, Mr. Reyes decried the inaction of decision makers faced with this periodic weather phenomenon. "People talk of 6% of GDP growth, they produce detailed analysis, and yet they fail to tackle basic, concrete challenges such as this one", he lamented.

Mr. Reyes pointed out that the agriculture sector has been underperforming the broader economy for a number reasons, but that its underlying weaknesses are not been dealt with. In 2015, the agriculture sector grew a mere not 0.4% year on year, compared to 4.6% growth it had achieved in 2011.

Yoris Morales, President of the Marketing Company of the Food Market, also voiced his concerns about the dangers that El Niño and La Niña represented for Panama, especially considering the lack of a proper agricultural policy on the part of national authorities.