WMO report - Heat is affecting agriculture

Livestock and crops are increasingly suffering from more frequent episodes of extreme heat.

According to a report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), this is threatening the livelihoods of over a billion people.

Heatwaves have become noticeably more frequent in recent decades. They occur more often, last longer and are more intense. And this trend is set to continue. This is becoming an increasing problem, particularly for the agricultural sector.

Many animals start to suffer from heat stress at temperatures as low as 25 degrees, whilst pigs and chickens are affected even earlier. Crops such as potatoes and barley produce lower yields in extreme heat. What’s more, fires occur more frequently and can destroy entire fields.

For farmers themselves, working conditions are becoming more difficult. In some regions, particularly in South Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, it could simply be too hot for field work on up to 250 days a year in the future.

At the same time, droughts, water shortages, pests and diseases are on the rise – without effective climate action, the situation will continue to worsen.