According to a March 2023 report by the World Meteorological Organization, the rare three-year La Niña event is officially over and a new El Niño cycle is on the way, with changing weather patterns challenging everyone. It is
La Niña and El Niño are natural phenomena in the tropical Pacific Ocean. El Niño is commonly associated with increased precipitation over southern South America, the southern United States, the Horn of Africa, and parts of Central Asia. El Niño, on the other hand, could cause severe droughts in Australia, Indonesia and parts of South Asia. ○
So one might ask, what agricultural practices can be adopted to mitigate the challenges of El Niño and ensure stable crop yields?
Theoretically, as long as the rain falls on time and in abundance, the fields can be insured. Unfortunately this is no longer the case. Across the world, severe droughts, persistent heatwaves and extreme rainfall are becoming the norm.
Enhancing water security through strong infrastructure
The development of water storage and distribution facilities is essential to mitigate the effects of water scarcity and ensure the continued availability of this precious resource.
In addition to the prolonged drought, El Niño has had a profound impact on all aspects of water resources. This not only reduces the flow of rivers, but also reduces water quality, reduces the amount of water available in wells and increases groundwater salinity.
Reduce Uncertainty, Enhance Resilience
The most difficult aspect of El Niño is the uncertainty; what triggers it, how long it lasts, and how severe it is.
However, by adopting water-efficient practices such as precision irrigation, we can proactively address the challenges posed by El Niño, eliminate uncertainties, better ensure food production and promote sustainable water management practices.
