J. A. Saldívar farmers prepare to protect crops from frost

Farmers in J. Augusto Saldívar, Paraguay, are taking proactive steps to shield their crops from impending frost. The region, known as the "Ruta de las Hortalizas," faces the threat of low temperatures that could damage its vital horticultural production.

Producers are employing a combination of methods to mitigate the impact of the frost. These include continuous irrigation of crops, especially during the coldest nights, to create a protective layer of evaporation. Farmers are also resorting to the controlled burning of dry branches to generate steam in the air and covering sensitive plants with leaves and shade cloths.

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We carry out irrigation for two consecutive days to create a layer of evaporation that protects the plants and prevents the frost from affecting production. It is a technique we have been using for years and it has given us good results.

Carmelo Acosta, a local producer, shared his experience with the continuous irrigation technique, stating it has yielded good results for years. He noted that tomatoes and peppers are particularly vulnerable to the cold, requiring constant attention to prevent economic losses. In contrast, crops like strawberries, scallions, and various leafy greens are more resilient to the cold.

Miguel Martínez, another vegetable farmer, highlighted the use of burning dry branches and covering plants as additional protective measures. The farmers are closely monitoring meteorological reports, hoping their efforts will safeguard a significant portion of their harvest, which is crucial for the local economy of J. Augusto Saldívar.

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Another practice we use is burning dry branches to generate steam in the air. Additionally, we cover some crops with leaves and shade cloths to reduce the impact of frost on the plants.