The effects of the El Niño dry spell are becoming increasingly visible across Fiji’s Western Division, with Lautoka resident Navneet Ram raising concerns over worsening dry conditions and their impact on farmers and livestock.
Ram says areas including Teidamu, Drasa and Raviravi are experiencing severe dryness and reduced rainfall, putting additional pressure on agricultural communities.
He says the prolonged dry spell is affecting not only sugarcane farms but also the availability of fresh produce, with a noticeable decrease in the supply of vegetables.
Ram says the lack of sufficient rainfall is placing farmers under increasing pressure as they struggle to maintain crops and livestock in the dry conditions.
He says the conditions have also increased agricultural risks, including the threat of sugarcane farm fires in some areas.
Ram says for farmers, the effects of a failed or prolonged dry season go beyond the environment, as reduced agricultural production can directly affect household food supplies and income.
He says the continued dry conditions are a growing concern for rural communities across the Western Division as the impact of El Niño becomes more evident.
