SINGAPORE, Oct 29 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Climate change is projected to reduce production of key crops across South-East Asia, with rice, maize and sugarcane facing declines, according to a study released by the Singapore Food Agency and the National University of Singapore.
The Asean Agri Climate Impact Twenty study projects average rice production to decline by 3 per cent to 5 per cent between 2025 and 2044, while maize output could fall by 5 per cent to 6 per cent and sugarcane production by 1 per cent to 4 per cent.
In contrast, cassava production is projected to increase by 16 per cent, while soybean output could rise by 11 per cent to 13 per cent.
"More favourable average projections for some crops do not mean that they are free from climate-related risks. Production could still be affected by variability in climate conditions in any particular year, including extreme heat, heavy rainfall or drought in an unfavourable year," the report said.
Very strong El Niño events could reduce average crop production across the region by up to about 10 per cent, the study found. Rice and rain-fed farming systems are generally more vulnerable to such events.
Overall, Southeast Asia is expected to experience rising temperatures, more frequent and prolonged heat waves, and increasingly variable rainfall, potentially disrupting water availability, planting schedules and crop yields. -- Xinhua
