FARMERS in Aranjuez, an area long hailed as one of the “food baskets” of the nation, have called for discussions and action to proactively address a potential “drought” forecast for the coming weeks.This week the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) reported Trinidad is facing a drought watch in September, while Tobago and parts of north-eastern Trinidad could move into drought warning conditions in October. The TTMS said the agriculture sector faces an elevated risk to crops and livestock because of irregular rainfall, an increase in hot-spell days, and declining soil moisture.During a visit to Aranjuez yesterday, a number of farmers were out in their fields under the noon-to-early afternoon sun, misting and flooding their fields to fight the soaring temperatures.At 3R’s Nursery, seedling supplier and farmer Sheldon Monsoon was among those supporting calls for the Ministry of Agriculture, and relevant agencies such as the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), to begin consultations with the farming community, including animal rearers, to anticipate potential threats to the water supply and come up with solutions.Monsoon and several others said water is usually channelled into parts of the agricultural area from the Aranjuez River. However, the channels were in need of clearing, so that water can reach the farmers if river levels run low, they said.According to Monsoon, high temperatures were impacting crops in the field, including pumpkin, ground provisions, sweet pepper, pimento, cucumbers, melongene, hot peppers and salad greens.Farmer Hassan Cambridge said he had to put in extra work to keep his crops healthy in the current climate. He supported calls for the Aranjuez River to be dredged so that water can be let into the channels and accessed by farmers in the event of a drought.Seasoning farmer Trevor Maharaj said any major losses in short crops and green seasoning such as chives, various types of thyme, pimentos, peppers, ginger and chadon beni could drive up prices as far as Christmas 2026. Vegetables that are popular for “choka”, including baigan, pumpkin and tomatoes, were also at risk from higher temperatures, he said.Maharaj said some tree crops that are also popular at Divali time, such as mangoes, could also be more expensive. He said this was as a result of a loss of flowers on some fruit trees and interrupted bearing patterns, due to increased heat. Farmers were also facing losses from an ongoing infestation of the giant African snail, which eats a variety of vegetation.Maharaj and others said Aranjuez and environs had in the past faced challenges for a regular supply of pipe-borne water. They called for a “plan” by the relevant authorities to maintain an adequate supply in the fields.“Anytime there is significant loss of crops, it is the customers who also suffer,” Maharaj said.Stay cool, hydratedThe Ministry of Health, in a statement yesterday, cautioned that failure to protect against extreme heat and dehydration could put one’s health at risk.The ministry said prolonged exposure to high temperatures could lead to heat exhaustion. In more serious cases, heat stroke can occur and cause conditions which can become life-threatening if not addressed promptly.The public was urged to pay close attention to warning signs, including a body temperature of 39°C or higher, tiredness or weakness, headaches, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion and fainting. Heat exhaustion may also cause cold, pale and clammy skin, along with a fast and weak pulse; while heat stroke can result in a fast, strong pulse, the MoH said.The risk of heat stroke can be reduced by drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous physical activity during the hottest times of the day. People who work outdoors were encouraged to take regular water breaks and seek shade whenever possible.The ministry advised that indoor spaces can be kept cool by closing windows and shutters facing the sun. People should also spend time in shaded or cool areas when outdoors.If venturing outside, peopl,e were encouraged to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply during the day as directed.The ministry reminded the public that “hot weather should not be taken lightly, particularly when spending prolonged periods outdoors or engaging in strenuous activity”.