Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Climate Threatens Food Production

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Jul 14 2008 (IPS) - Excessive rainfall in some areas and prolonged drought in other areas of Honduras threaten agricultural production and food supplies, warn farmers and the International Monetary Fund. Rural leader Marvin Ponce told Tierramérica that Honduras lacks clear agricultural policies. The actions towards reactivating the farming sector are aimed only at the large farmers, “but the incentives don't reach the people on the land and it has become politicized,” he said.

The IMF warned that Honduras could face a food crisis, but the government has played down those predictions and announced production of 22 million sacks of maize, two million of beans and a half-million of rice.

President Manuel Zelaya has urged the banks to open up soft credits in order to boost agricultural output.