FAO warns El Nino could threaten India's rice and maize
Heads up: The Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, says the newly declared El Nino could mess with India's summer monsoon, which is a big deal for rain-fed crops like rice and maize.
If the rains don't show up as expected, farmers and people relying on agriculture (especially in climate-sensitive regions) could feel the pinch when it comes to food security and livelihoods.
Drought risks span Pakistan to Indonesia
This isn't just an India problem: El Nino is causing drought risks all across South and Southeast Asia, from Pakistan to Indonesia.
Last time around (2015-16), India saw drops in maize and rice output, while Southeast Asia lost 15 million metric tons of rice.
That led to higher prices and made things tough for countries that import food.
The FAO says early action helps; for example, nearly $31 million program in Southern Africa gave farmers seeds and support before disaster hit.