PANAMA’S  government  is faced with a $7 million  payout as compensation for some 8,000 hectares of corn affected by drought.

The information was confirmed Thursday, April 21, by Irvin Santos  CEO of the Institute of Agricultural Insurance (ISA), during  a tour of the province of Los Santos.

He said Friday the first payment of  $700,000  would  be paid  on Friday, April 22.

Of the 11,800   insured hectares, 8,000 were affected by climate change

The technical report said that the most affected area was Los Santos, followed by Guararé, Las Tablas, Pocrí.

Cobs had not congealed, some had ultra small grains, and high temperatures prevented fertilization.