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Severe drought in Suriname reduces its crop yield

CGTN

00:49

Affected by El Niño, Suriname, a country on the northeastern coast of South America, is experiencing its worst drought in 25 years. There has been no rain for eight months, leading to widespread reductions in crop yields.

The lingering drought has devastated local agriculture in the country's northern districts of Para and Saramacca, reducing crop yields by more than 25 percent.

"Some of them (fruit trees) get very small, but them should be like this (higher) one," said a plantation manager in Saramacca.

"Sometimes the fruit is already half-cooked inside because of the sun. Sometimes, when we harvest oranges, they don't have juice inside," said a plantation technician.

The country also faces a shortage of water facilities, irrigation resources and technology.

The local meteorological department has forecast a new rainy season in April. It is expected to relieve the drought and ease the concerns about diminished crop yields.

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