Frost has damaged around 60% of melon farms in the northern Mexican municipalities of Matamaros and Viesca, according to news website Milenio.com.

Matamaros’ rural development care centre manager Jesús Calderón Barraza told the website there were 450 hectares of melon plantations in the two municipalities, which equates to around 270 hectares at risk.

He said extremely cold temperatures had been recorded for the last three years, in addition to the hail and strong winds that have affected farms, the story reported.

The regions’ 120 affected farmers have called on the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Food (SAGARPA) for assistance.

A Federal Government official said he did not yet have a credible report with amounts and percentages, Milenio.com reported.

Photo: Flickr, Muffet

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com