Agriculture to be hit hard by El Niño

Sweet potato garden in Highlands region inspected by Food and Agriculture Organization *(Image: Supplied)*

Up to 85 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s population who depend on agriculture are likely to be severely affected by the current El Niño period, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO].

United Nations FAO country head Dr Katchen Wong-Satapornchai said those who rely on agriculture for both sustenance and employment opportunities face major disruptions.

He said the impacts of El Niño would stretch far beyond the economy, creating a dangerous ripple effect across the country.

“Agriculture is important for people’s livelihoods, and 85 per cent of our people are going to be affected,” Dr Wong said. “This goes beyond just economic impacts alone. This is life, this is food, and this is a critical food security issue.”

Dr Wong said during prolonged El Niño periods, local farmers typically experience sharply lower crop productivity and face immense difficulty accessing safe and nutritious food.

He added that market systems would worsen as local food supplies decrease.

“During periods of low production, food becomes much more expensive," he said. "This will create a severe ripple effect for people who are relying entirely on agricultural incomes to survive."

Dr Wong said as crop yields fail, farmers will lose their primary ability to generate income, rendering them unable to purchase alternative food supplies for their families.