El Niño Phenomenon: The Ecuador Government's Plan Includes Agricultural Insurance and Massive Rice Purchase

Ecuador's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries announces a set of preventive measures ahead of the potential El Niño phenomenon, including a $4 million budget for agricultural insurance premiums and state procurement of up to 40,000 tons of rice to strengthen national food reserves. Actions prioritize the most climate-exposed coastal provinces—Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, El Oro, and Los Ríos—and encompass agronomic management plans, drainage works, flood-resistant crop varieties, and livestock evacuation routes, with FAO and UNDP support sought to expand insurance coverage.