By Cristina Corujo
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[San Lorenzo coffee farm owner Hector Muñoz] has reason to be concerned. Powerful El Niños are expected over the next decade and they typically bring drought conditions. Adding to the challenge is the possible impact of climate change making the droughts more severe and allegations that the government agency tasked with helping the industry adapt isn't up to the job. The head of the island's Department of Agriculture is, for example, being investigated for what the government calls "improper behavior."
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The National Academy of Sciences, a nonprofit organization of researchers, published a study in its journal PNAS in October that found stronger El Niños are expected over the next decade. Changes in the planet's temperature might be impacting the strength of Los Niños. That means the effects of El Niño could get worse.
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The University of Puerto Rico has two campuses where researchers have been working on ways to help increase agriculture productivity. But the programs could be at risk, in the face of a reduction in funding. The island carries more than $70 billion in debt and has been facing a financial crisis for over 10 years. "We've seen cuts already," said Myrna Comas, a professor at the Mayagüez campus and former secretary of agriculture.
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Regardless of the political dispute, both atmospheric experts and coffee growers say that droughts don't get enough attention when compared to hurricanes. Droughts "are not as dramatic and abrupt," Ault said.
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