The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) has set aside $3 million to deal with immediate damages and losses caused by the harsh winter suffered by the livestock and agricultural sectors.

This was revealed by Minister Eduardo Izaguirre this Thursday morning, April 13, during the launch of the new phase of vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease. He assured that at the moment they are recording 16,000 affected hectares in crops such as cocoa, corn and plantain.

The enclosure of La Maravilla de Montalvo, in Los Ríos, under water: hundreds of farmers affected

“Of the grants we prepared in general for farmers, we set aside specific amounts to work on the total and partial losses of farmers who were affected. We have currently set aside $3 million for emergencies that will be identified to be sure,” the minister said.

He added that MAG classifies damages into groups of partial damages and groups of total damages. He explained that if the damage is partial, rehabilitation will be started, but if the damage is complete, the farmer will have to be helped, even with seeds, so that he can plant again.

Izaguirre announced that this aid to farmers will arrive when it is certain that there will be no new extreme rainfall that could also affect the subsidies that will be given to producers. For now, the minister assures, what has been lost in the products so far should not affect their offer in the markets.

COE Babahoyo has been activated due to the recent rains and the risk of flooding

However, Minister Izaguirre explained that weekly assessments are being made and assured that the damage could continue to increase as the rains continue. In addition, he did not rule out that the storm could be prolonged due to the possibility of the arrival of the El Niño phenomenon.

“I guarantee that in places where we are sure that what the government will give as aid in this case will not fail, it will be done, but as long as it rains and we are not sure that there is water. Giving up one The final way would be to influence the farmer himself , almost forcing him to lose the support that the Ministry of Agriculture can give him,” Izaguirre said.

The first phase of vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease begins in May

Meanwhile, with regard to FMD vaccination, Patricio Almeida, Executive Director of the Agency for Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control (Agrocalidad), announced that the first phase of FMD immunization will begin in the country on May 5. would culminate on June 19, 2023.

In that period, vaccination of more than 4,600,000 heads of cattle and buffaloes is planned.

Ecuador remains undefeated for eleven years without foot-and-mouth disease. The vaccination campaign started to vaccinate 4.6 million animals

This process will maintain mainland Ecuador as a foot-and-mouth disease-free territory, with vaccination, a status issued by the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO). In Ecuador, the average production of milk is 5 million liters per day, while the production of beef is 151,172 tons per year.

For his part, Minister Izaguirre emphasized that there have been no cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Ecuador for 139 months.

The last epidemic was in August 2011. “Having animals without foot-and-mouth disease enables us to have healthy livestock, as well as quality meat and milk,” said the minister, adding that more than 284,000 producers and their families, who depend on them, will also benefit from this. on the health of their animals for production and income generation, as well as benefiting more than 1’140,000 Ecuadorians associated with this production chain.

The first phase of vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease in the country will start from May to June. In that period, vaccination of more than 4,600,000 heads of cattle and buffaloes is planned. Photo: courtesy of MAG

For his part, Almeida stated that “this disease has not been present in livestock production in Ecuador for several years, thanks to the joint efforts of the public and private sectors.”

Ecuador is taking appropriate steps to formalize its accession to the Regional Foot-and-mouth Disease Antigen Bank (Banvaco), an organization coordinated by Panaftosa/SPV-PAHO/WHO.

This will provide the country with immediate access to vaccines in case of any animal health emergency.