Many parts of Southeast Asia are undergoing record-breaking heatwaves, leading to disruptions in rice supplies and fluctuations in prices. The region can safeguard livelihoods by planting drought-resistant rice varieties, diversifying crops and enhancing early warning systems.
Nayak’s work – as South Asia head for Seed System and Product Management at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – has been on “technology scaling” or closing the gap between scientific knowledge and its practical application among farmers.
WEATHER forecasts point to a transition to an El Niño state in the second half of this year. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has reported that drier conditions will generally be observed in West Africa, Southern Africa, India, South-East Asia, Australia, northern areas of South Am