The situation for Maltese farmers is becoming desperate as a meager 187.5mm of rainfall since September 1, has stretched their resources and is threatening their harvest. The lack of rain could cause a severe shortage of fruit and vegetables in spring and autumn.
The amount of rainfall is little more than half the norm for the last four months of the year. In contrast, this time last year total rainfall had already exceeded the 300mm mark. a minimum of 250 mm is needed by the end of the next month but a deluge of rain would flood out to sea, so farmers are in a very difficult situation.
John Gauci, president of the Farmers’ Central Cooperative said that farmers were coping with the situation by irrigating their crops even in winter, but the continuous pumping of water from boreholes would eventually start taking its toll on the quality of produce.
“In the absence of rainfall, it will mean a higher salt content in the water table, which will negatively impact both the crops and the chemical balance in the soil,” he warned.
Mr Gauci noted that the cold snap that normally occurred sometime between mid-December and January was crucial because it would serve to kill any pests and diseases that would otherwise wreak havoc in the following spring.
“Unfortunately, the unusual mild climate is accelerating the maturation of certain crops like cauliflowers. If the situation persists it could also disrupt the normal cycle because fruit trees start blooming in February, and again in spring, which would result in a very bad harvest,” he said.
In addition, low precipitation would put more strain on the water table and badly affect certain fruit species like melons, water melons and cherry plum, which required constant watering, Mr Gauci noted.
