How Climate Change-Driven Drought Devastates India’s Sugar Production: Understanding the Impact

A recent UN report highlights the troubling impact of severe droughts on food production. Since 2023, these droughts have disrupted the supply chains of important crops like rice, coffee, and sugar, causing prices to rise globally and deepening food insecurity.

The report, prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, shows that climate change is intensifying droughts, making them some of the most widespread in history. As experts from environmental sciences note, rising temperatures and shrinking water resources are significant contributors to this problem.

In Thailand and India, two major sugar producers, drought conditions plummeted sugar harvests by 12.4% in 2023-2024. This drop led to an 8.9% spike in sugar prices in the United States. Similarly, Southeast Asia saw significant rice shortages. In Indonesia, the largest economy in the region, demand outstripped supply, forcing the country to import rice and provide aid to over 21 million families.

Coffee production is also feeling the heat. In Vietnam, which grows most of the world’s Robusta coffee, a combination of drought and pests caused a 20% decrease in crop yield for the 2023-24 season. This situation pushed coffee futures to record highs, affecting consumers worldwide.

The crisis is ticking up due to the 2023–2024 El Niño, which has intensified droughts across vulnerable regions. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw has called drought a “silent killer,” draining resources and impacting lives with its slow, yet devastating effects.

Experts warn that without a proactive approach, including better warning systems and sustainable water management, the threats from drought will only escalate. Historical data shows that regions previously deemed safe from drought are now at risk, suggesting that urgent global action is necessary.

With the potential for more frequent and severe droughts, society must brace for continued challenges in food security and economic stability. These events highlight the importance of cooperation and innovation in addressing climate change and its widespread impacts.

You can find further insights in the detailed report, Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025.

By being aware of these challenges and possible solutions, we can work together to tackle these urgent issues.

Source link

Climate change, climate crisis, environment news, drough, droughts in India, Drough report, UN drought report, Science News