Fellow Venezuelans, have you noticed the change in temperature and the constant rains? It comes as no surprise, given that local news outlets have been reporting on "Super El Niño" and its specific effects.
Now, if you are someone who grows crops, what should you do? Many useful options—which are essential in situations like this—often go overlooked; I will briefly mention a few of them here.
CARDBOARD: Cardboard is highly useful as ground cover in regions suffering from drought or extreme heat. By keeping the cardboard moist and weighed down against the soil (preferably with stones), you prevent roots from burning in the heat and stop soil erosion; plus, it decomposes naturally and is easy to find.
STONES: Stones are often dismissed as a nuisance or useless clutter; however, using them to hold down plant coverings prevents heavy rains or strong winds from blowing them away. They can also stop ground-dwelling animals—like chickens—from digging up plant roots.
TRENCHES: Trenches are very useful during heavy rains, as they prevent growing areas from flooding and the crops from rotting. Many view them as requiring too much effort for a short-lived solution, but placing large stones inside the trenches helps them last longer.
SHADE: People say "shade makes plants rot," and while that is true in some cases, it isn't always the case; certain crops, such as malanga or ocumo (taro), can thrive—or even produce better—in areas with partial shade and constant moisture.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s act quickly in the face of these weather conditions.
Image sources: I found them on Google.
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