Federal drought disaster declaration approved for Puerto Rico

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón)

By THE STAR STAFF

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a federal drought disaster declaration for Puerto Rico, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced Wednesday, opening the door to expanded assistance for farmers affected by months of severe drought across the island.

The request, submitted on Aug. 10 under the USDA’s Fast‑Track mechanism, was coordinated with the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration to accelerate federal review as drought conditions intensified. The declaration covers 26 municipalities, 13 designated as primary disaster areas and 13 as contiguous counties.

“This action recognizes the seriousness of the conditions Puerto Rico is facing,” González Colón said. “From the beginning, we made clear the urgency of our farmers’ needs and sought rapid federal intervention. Today, that effort bears fruit.”

Under the Fast‑Track criteria, the USDA can issue an expedited designation when an area reaches D2 (Severe Drought) for eight consecutive weeks or experiences D3 (Extreme) or D4 (Exceptional) drought at any point during the growing season.

Primary municipalities include Cabo Rojo, Coamo, Guánica, Guayanilla, Juana Díaz, Lajas, Peñuelas, Ponce, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San Germán, Santa Isabel and Yauco. Contiguous municipalities include Adjuntas, Aibonito, Barranquitas, Cayey, Guayama, Hormigueros, Jayuya, Lares, Maricao, Mayagüez, Orocovis, Utuado and Villalba.

The designation makes farmers eligible for emergency loans and a range of USDA and Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs, including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm‑Raised Fish; the Livestock Indemnity Program; the Emergency Conservation Program; the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program; and the Tree Assistance Program.

Puerto Rico Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres urged producers to document losses and ensure their registration with the FSA is up to date.

“The more prepared our farmers are, the faster the process will move once eligibility is determined,” he said.

The federal declaration follows the governor’s July 31 islandwide emergency order, issued as drought conditions worsened and water supplies tightened. Officials warn that the prolonged dry spell threatens crops, livestock, irrigation systems, pastureland and overall food security.

“We will continue using every available tool to protect our farmers and preserve Puerto Rico’s agricultural production,” González Colón said.