According to CEPAL, what are the potential losses in Central American agricultural GDP due to soil degradation, and which crops are most affected?
Potential losses in Central American agricultural GDP due to soil degradation
Crops most affected by soil degradation
Losses in agricultural GDP could reach up to 22% by the end of the 21st century
Maize, beans, and rice occupy half of the cultivated land in Central America
Studies predict high losses in basic grain production by 2020
Bean production will be the most affected, with decreases of around 25% in Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras
The production of maize will decrease in the long term due to soil degradation, with losses of up to 32% in degraded soils in El Salvador and 1% in good quality soils
In Costa Rica, higher temperatures would favor the production of some cereals, although reductions of 31% in rice and between 16% and 27% in Guatemala are expected
The impacts are serious given the importance of maize, beans, and rice in the Central American diet, especially for rural poor
Urgent adaptation actions are needed, given the proximity of the projections (2020)