Study: Climate change could cut rice, maize and sugarcane production

Singapore (ANTARA) – Climate change is projected to reduce production of key food crops across Southeast Asia, with rice, maize and sugarcane facing declines, according to a study released on Thursday by the Singapore Food Agency and the National University of Singapore.

The ASEAN Agri Climate Impact Twenty study projects average rice production will fall by 3 to 5 per cent between 2025 and 2044, while maize production could decline by 5 to 6 per cent and sugarcane production by 1 to 4 per cent.

By contrast, cassava production is projected to increase by 16 per cent, while soybean output could rise by 11 to 13 per cent.

“More favourable average projections for some agricultural crops do not mean that these crops are free from climate-related risks. Production can still be affected by climate variability in any given year, including extreme heat, heavy rainfall or drought in years with unfavourable conditions,” the report said.

A very strong El Niño could reduce average crop production across the region by around 10 per cent, the study found. Rice-based 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 heatwaves, and increasingly variable rainfall, potentially disrupting water availability, planting schedules and crop yields.