Pakistan has been identified as one of the 20 countries at risk of facing dry conditions as the La Nina weather phenomenon is predicted to emerge in late 2024 and continue into early 2025. According to a report released by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Friday, La Nina could lead to extreme weather events, significantly affecting agriculture and worsening food security.
Although La Nina has not yet been officially declared, some regions are already experiencing similar conditions. The FAO is closely monitoring its development to evaluate its potential impact on crop production and food availability.
In response, the FAO has launched a La Nina Anticipatory Action and Response Plan to mitigate the expected agricultural damage.
The FAO report outlines several measures to counteract the impact of La Nina, including the distribution of drought-resistant seeds and farming tools ahead of planting seasons, and providing livestock feed and health support.
Other recommendations include the rehabilitation of communal water sources, training farmers on water-harvesting techniques, and post-harvest management to reduce losses.
The report also highlighted that La Nina is expected to intensify the effects of the 2023-24 El Nino event, which led to record-high temperatures, droughts, and floods, disrupting agricultural production and worsening food insecurity in many nations.