New Zealand drought puts farmers in dire straits
(03-15 09:22)
New Zealand has officially declared its most widespread drought in at least 30 years.
The government said the entire north island is a drought zone after adding several more regions to those already designated as suffering from drought, AP reports.
The official designation provides farmers some financial relief through increased government funding of rural groups and tax breaks. Farmers facing serious financial hardship will also be eligible to apply for temporary unemployment benefits.
The drought has forced dairy farmers to reduce their herds in a country which relies on the industry for export earnings.
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