(Trinidad Guardian) President of the Aranguez United Farmers’ Association Pundit Satyanand Maharaj is warning consumers to brace for higher prices due to extreme heat, which is hurting crops. Maharaj told Guardian Media yesterday it is anticipated that with the almost drought-like conditions that T&T is experiencing, the water courses will run low. “Some are already running low, and farmers will not be able to bring crops to the market because of the lack of water and the prevalence of pests which will increase with the heat,” he stressed. According to Maharaj, farmers may opt not to plant to save their money rather than lose it and they expect lower yields because of the prevailing conditions the country is experiencing. With the rainy season underway, he is also warning that farmers could then be faced with the additional problem of flooding. Farmers last week told the media that chickens at poultry pens are dying due to heat stress, while cattle farmers are reporting that their animals are now “skin and bones” because they are not getting the quality and quantity of grass that they need to grow. On Tuesday, Trinidad recorded one of the hottest temperatures since October 2020. It was the third time Piarco had surpassed 35.0°C for 2023, with the hottest day this year recorded just two days prior, on Sunday, with a maximum high of 35.4°C. Meanwhile, in Tobago, Crown Point recorded its second hottest day for the year on Tuesday, with a maximum high of 33.3°C. On September 15, T&T was placed under a yellow-level Hot Spell Warning from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), which remains in effect until September 29.
Heat hurting crops, farmers warn
