José María Morelos, Q.R. — Farmers in the municipality of José María Morelos while wet, are grateful for the rains which have allowed them to finally plant. The entire state of Quintana Roo was left in drought after weeks of extreme temperatures and no measurable amounts of rain.
Those dry hot weeks also set state farmers back since the unfavorable weather did not allow them to plant fields. Now, however, some farmers are getting ready to do just that.
Edilberto Huchin Serralta, a José María Morelos Ejido farmer says the recent rains have created ideal conditions for Mayan Milpa planting. He says due to the downpours, some Ejido farmers have already begun planting various agricultural products in their fields, himself included.
He says before the arrival of the rains, the forest fires naturally cleared areas that are now being used for planting.
“In fact, we as a family, my parents, my brothers, are already planting. Me too since there are many parts where the hills burned. Mine burned and I took advantage of it to clean it and we are already putting pumpkin and corn where we can,” he explained.
“When you start planting it takes between four days and a week for the corn to sprout. If the rain stops, it will be good. About eight days can pass and then it can rain again, which is beneficial,” he said.
Climate dependence is a critical factor for farmers in the Mayan zone. “Right now we don’t know what will happen later in the season. We can predict that there will be rain to be able to sow and cultivate, but sometimes the harvest is halfway through and it stops raining and growing is no longer achieved. It’s very complicated,” he said.
The Mayan Milpa crop traditionally includes corn, squash and beans, among other vegetables. The farmers of José María Morelos continue to plant despite the climatic instability.
