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Navajo Nation president extends crop insurance amid drought

(Alexa Rogals | The Daily Times | The Associated Press) In this May 12, 2015, file photo, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye gives his inaugural speech at Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz. Navajo voters have a record number of candidates to choose from in the Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 presidential primary election. The race has drawn 18 candidates with the top two vote-getters moving on to the November general election.

Gallup, N.M. • Outgoing Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye has extended the tribe’s crop insurance amid ongoing extreme drought conditions.

The Gallup Independent reports Begaye recently agreed to the protections against the impacts of extreme drought on the Navajo Nation's pastures, rangelands and forage.

Begaye says the crop insurance would lessen the impacts that low rainfall is having on the Navajo Nation.

Recent maps of the federal drought monitor show much of the Navajo Nation remains under exceptional or extreme drought — the two worst conditions.

The Office of the President and Vice President says the crop insurance is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Insurance Program.