El Niño Drought Worsens Asia's Rice Belt Crisis Amid War-Driven Price Shocks

Asia's rice-producing regions are facing a compounding crisis as El Niño-induced drought conditions combine with elevated input costs stemming from geopolitical tensions. Farmers in the rice belt are struggling under the dual pressure of water scarcity and expensive fuel and fertilizer prices linked to the Iran conflict. This convergence of climate and economic challenges threatens rice production and food security across the continent.