Minister Linares presents to the National Assembly MIDA actions to mitigate the impact of El Niño

Panama Minister of Agricultural Development Roberto Linares appeared before the plenary session of the National Assembly to answer a ten-question questionnaire from legislators regarding actions implemented to address the impact of El Niño on the agricultural sector. During his presentation, he outlined measures to safeguard food supplies and address water availability, including the cleaning and rehabilitation of nearly 100 livestock watering facilities, arrangements to acquire three deep-well drilling rigs, an inventory of watercourses and the assessment of small masonry dams. He also reported continuous technical support through the Agroclimatic Tables, which have benefited more than 3,000 small and medium-sized producers, as well as the distribution of fertilizers to family farmers. MIDA reported approximately B/. 1.2 million already executed for machinery, medicines, livestock supplements and spare parts, together with B/. 8.21 million under the climate emergency declaration to expand mitigation measures in the Dry Arc. The Water Reserve Plan includes inventories and measurement of wells, rehabilitation and construction of watering facilities, reservoirs and pumping systems, and the acquisition and strategic reserve of forage. Measures also include strengthening the distribution of seeds, seedlings, biostimulants and fertilizers, sanitary control, precision spraying and pest and disease monitoring. Over the following twelve months, MIDA plans to address approximately 200 watering facilities and 30 small dams, while promoting water management as a permanent rather than temporary policy.