Direct Effects on farming and agriculture sub sectors

Some of the effects that take place during a drought, follow:

Agricultural sub sector

• The production and yield is reduced as well as the quality of products is affected.

• The incidence of some plagues and diseases is increased.

• Secondary plagues appear. 

• In critical zones, crops can be suspended or lost completely. 

• The option for water irrigation of crops is limited due to insufficient water.

• The effects of soil erosion are increased.

Cattle sub sector

• Grazing availability is decreased.

• Increases mortality and morbidity of cattle.

• The productive indices deteriorate.

• The costs of feeding, water and transfer of animals are increased extraordinarily

Fishing sub sector

• Poorer and warmer waters cause ocean fish that are of commercial interest, to move in search of food, this makes fishing more difficult and requires a greater effort for fishermen.
• The substitution or displacement of cold currents affects the capture of migratory species.
• The coral reefs and biodiversity suffer from abrupt changes in temperature.
• The changes in salinity and nutrients at the river mouths affect species.
• Low lake and river volumes affect continental fishing and aquatic activities.

Forestry sub sector

• New planting is suspended in critical zones.

• The growth of plantations is affected. 

• There is a greater tendency to utilize the forest for energy.

Deferred Effects

• There is an impact on the productive base.

• Erosion lowers the productivity of the soil.

• Migration affects the availability of manual labor.

• The loss of water sources occurs.

• The production of seeds, sprouts, and nurseries affects future production.

• There is a forced reduction in the breeding stock through death or sale.

• The productive efficiency of the cattle sub sector is lowered.

• Death of fish stock and the consequent effect on future captures.

• The future access to financial resources is limited due to default of banking obligations.

• There is a lowered availability of wood resources.

Food Security

• Decreased production and availability of food for consumption. 

• Decreased income due to unemployment.

• Increased food prices. 

• Risk of shortage of supplies and of an increase in prices on the national and international markets. 

• Forest and agricultural fires (forest, crops and pastures).

• Degradation and disappearance of life sources (soils, springs, biomass, fauna)

• Destruction of crops.

• In extreme cases exportation is affected by the closure of airports.

• Migration of labor force. 

• Noticeable difference in the quality of the landscape.

• Massive sediment deposits in river beds and estuaries.

• The infiltration and protection of water sources are affected.

• Predators move towards areas of cultivation.

• Life forms which function as biological controls are eliminated.

• Environmental service supplies are affected (carbon fixation and water protection, biodiversity and ecosystems).

Additional Affects

• Proliferation and over exploitation of wells.

• Conflicts between water users.

• Rationing of basic services (water, electricity, education).

• Competition between the different uses of water. 

• Alteration of populations that act as biological controls.

• Navigation of rivers is affected by the reduction in water volume.

The proceeding arguments represent more than a challenge, they represent a call to attention of matters and issues that are clearly of public concern.  Responsibilities and obligations need to be defined and outlined.   This is attempted in this document, as part of the contributions that each one of the current actors and stakeholders in the Chorotega Region should contribute according to their functions.

Information taken from:
CEPAL; Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo. El impacto socioeconómico y ambiental de la sequía del 2001 en Centroamérica. P. 92

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