Objective:

Characterize the 2019 drought in its social context and the conditions of vulnerability of sugarcane growers in the north of Oaxaca, as well as prevention, adaptation and mitigation measures.

Methodology:

A quantitative technique was used, based on current and historical precipitation data in the región, the beginning of the rainy season and the precipitation of the 2019 were compared with the historical anual average. Through collective and individual interviews, the perception and opinios of sugarcane growers and local were recopilated. Academic and official documents were also reviewed.

Results:

The 2019 drought has been the most severe in recent decades; this is shown by the testimonies collected by the analysis of the meteorological data.

Limitations:

The meteorological data series at many stations are incomplete, limiting climate studies. The number of interviews carried oot does not allow the results of the investigation to be projected to a wider región than the area under study.

Conclusions:

The information generated show the vulnerability of sugarcane growers as they are in a situation of poverty, marginalization, dependence on unions and sugar mills and the lack of preventive, adaptation and mitigation measures. It is concluded that for droughts in humid regions preventive and mitigation measures are minimal. However, it is necessary to implement them since climate change forecast indicate that droughts the will be increasingly intense.

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