Argentine authorities have declared an agricultural emergency in the northwestern province of Salta after heavy rains caused widespread flooding. 

The emergency status was approved by Minister of Agro-Industry, Luis Miguel Etchevehere, and applies to the area of Rivadavia, where farmers will be eligible to receive certain benefits until Jan. 31, 2019. 

Rainfall caused three rivers - Pilcomayo, Bermejo and Teuco - in the key citrus-growing state to overflow, the Argentine Government said in a release.

"We know it is important to be there when the farmers are in need, and so we deal with the provincial declarations as soon as we receive them so that national resolutions can be signed as quickly as possible," Etchevehere said.

The Government on Wednesday went forward with the declaration recommended by the National Committee of Agricultural Emergencies and Disasters.

They also put the resolution into effect for the northeastern province Entre Ríos, where the severe drought is affecting dairy, livestock, citrus, fruit, vegetable, forestry and bee production. This will last for 12 months, starting from the 1st of March 2018.

Farmers in both regions will benefit from the deferral of the expiry date of tax obligations and/or advances of income tax, as well as a minimum income and money for education and cooperative promotion.

Also being considered is the reduction in earning taxes from the forced sale of property, the government said.

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