Drought Hits Spain and Portugal

Both Spain and Portugal are facing reduced rainfall and drought that is impacting agriculture production in each country respectively. We encourage you to explore the linked article and reflect and discuss with others around the globe utilizing the discussion points shared below. 

Dry winter drains reservoirs, ruins crops in Spain, Portugal

Discussion Points

• What is happening in Spain and Portugal relating to weather and agriculture? What are the current and potential impacts (both in Europe, your home region, and/or around the world)?
• What from the article stuck with you and why?
• A number of photographs were shared providing visual context. What did you notice in these photos? What stood out to you?
• Is there anything that can be done to improve conditions in Spain and Portugal? What would you recommend? 

Afghanistan Agriculture Challenges

Afghanistan has been at the top of newsfeeds as of late with the withdrawal of United States military forces. We have heard about a lot of things happening in and around Afghanistan, but agriculture is one area that has not been focused on heavily with most media sources. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations shares the challenges facing around 7 million farmers in Afghanistan in the story linked below. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to guide your conversations with others around the globe.

Drought threatens the livelihoods of 7 million farmers in Afghanistan

Discussion Points

• How is the drought impacting crop farmers in Afghanistan?
• How is the drought impacting livestock farmers in Afghanistan? 
• How might the recent withdrawal of United States military forces from Afghanistan impact farmers in Afghanistan and the challenges they are facing?
• You have just been put in charge of providing assistance to farmers in Afghanistan. What type of assistance will you provide? How will it be delivered? What are considerations you will have to take account for?

Drought and Agriculture

There are many weather events that can impact agriculture. The linked video below takes a closer look at droughts and their impacts on agriculture. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms and communities.

Drought in Agriculture

Discussion Points

• Which fact shared in the video did you find most interesting and why?
• Why is a proactive response to droughts in agriculture so important?
• Explain the solutions shared in the video to combat drought?
• What is the key to success in combating droughts in agriculture in your opinion? Explain your reasoning.

Rainout Shelters Provide Droughts

Linked below we highlight technology being developed by a group in Australia to assist researchers with plant breeding and developing drought tolerant varieties. While rainout shelters are not a new technology these from Australia have some new features that make them unique. Look over the linked article and take advantage of the discussion points below to guide your conversations.

Rain Out, Research In

Discussion Points

• Explain the purpose of rainout shelters and why they are important.
• What benefits do these new rainout shelters from Australia have over traditional rainout shelters?
• Why is it important to test new varieties in the field and not exclusively in greenhouses?
• These rainout shelters provide an environment for great research and the varieties being developed provide great promise. What challenges still face getting these newly developed varieties to the farmers around the world that need them? How can these challenges be overcome?

Rice and Drought in Asia

Currently there is a drought impacting Asia due to the El Nino weather pattern. It is causing havoc for farmers and drying up rivers in Asia. While the drought has impacted rice production there has not been a big change in rice prices. These details are discussed in the article linked below and discussion points have been provided to guide conversations in your classrooms and communities around the world.

Rice Prices Stay Sideways Despite Drought

Discussion Points

• Why is this region that is being affected by drought so important to rice production?
• Why has there not been a big change to rice prices in Asia despite the drought?
• What is the impact of construction of hydroelectric dams in this same area?
• Will this impact growers and/or rice prices in the United States? Explain.
• At what point do you believe rice prices could be impacted in Asia? Explain your reasoning.
• How would a severe drought impact your local agriculture economy?