Minimum temperatures in Caaguazú reached 6 °C, with a wind chill of around 3 °C, and have already begun to cause significant losses among small vegetable farmers, particularly those growing cucumbers in open fields. In Coronel Oviedo and neighboring districts, the leaves of the plants dry up quickly and production practically stops, according to farmers' accounts.
Cucumbers, which are in full harvest, are the most affected crop. Crops exposed to intense cold show severe damage, and in many cases, farmers consider the harvest practically lost. Other crops, such as locote and tomatoes, have also had their growth slowed, but they are still holding on.
Crops protected by greenhouses, however, remain in good condition. But many small farmers cannot afford this infrastructure, which costs around G. 12 million. Farmer Adrián Vázquez, who has 2,000 cucumber plants in open fields and 1,500 in a greenhouse, explained that the plants exposed to the cold are practically lost after the latest frosts. He noted that each planting could yield up to six harvests per year, but the affected ones only produced two.
Vázquez called for more government support for small farmers, saying that with proper assistance it would be possible to guarantee production, improve the lives of rural families, and offer more affordable products to the population. He argued that the state should treat the situation more seriously and provide real tools to strengthen national production.
The head of the Directorate of Agrarian Extension (DEAg) in Coronel Oviedo, Dr. Mirta Guerrero, said the team is constantly surveying and, so far, has not recorded official losses. She said she will send technicians to Adrián Vázquez's property to assess the damage and take the necessary steps to assist him. Guerrero added that monitoring of farmers' production is ongoing to respond to any eventuality.