February 11, 2013
Due to climate change, Asia's irrigated grain production is forecast to decline significantly.
The International Food Policy Research Institute reports that irrigated rice could fall by as much as 20%, and irrigated wheat by 25%, within 40 years. Mark Rosegrant, research director at the Institute, says the warmer temperatures could reduce yields and different rainfall patterns could affect irrigation.
"In northern China, particularly in the wheat belt, it does look drier," he said.
"In northern India, again a big wheat producing area, it does look like it's going to be hit very hard.
"But we are also seeing the rice bowl in South East Asia; Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos also having significant shortfalls of production due to climate change."