Global drought is one of the most significant challenges to world food security. With increasing global temperatures and climate change, water availability for agriculture is increasingly threatened, causing significant impacts on food production. The impact of drought on food security can be seen from various aspects. First, lack of water results in a decrease in crop yields. Rice, corn and wheat crops, which are the main food base, are highly dependent on adequate water supplies. Data shows that countries with a high drought index experience a decline in production of up to 30%. As a result, food prices increase, affecting people’s purchasing power, especially in developing countries. Second, the increased risk of crop failure due to drought causes instability in food supplies. This creates extreme price fluctuations, making access to affordable food even more difficult. A clear example can be seen in the Sub-Saharan African region, where drought causes mass starvation, forcing many families to reduce nutritional intake. Third, drought also increases competition for resources. When water becomes scarce, farmers must compete to access water supplies. In addition, industry and domestic needs also divert water from the agricultural sector, further exacerbating the situation. A UN research team estimates that more than 500 million small farmers could be at risk of losing their livelihoods due to drought. Global warming not only causes droughts to occur more frequently, but also affects rainfall patterns globally. These changes could result in agricultural losses in various regions. Non-adaptive agriculture is unable to respond to local changes, leading to low productivity. From a health perspective, drought contributes to a decline in food quality. The availability of healthy and nutritious food becomes a challenge when plants fail to grow optimally. Additionally, drought increases the risk of nutrition-related diseases, affecting overall public health. Adapting agricultural technology can be a solution, such as using drought-resistant plant varieties, water-saving irrigation methods, and using advanced weather monitoring systems to predict climate conditions. The government needs to invest in agricultural research and provide education to farmers on sustainable cultivation techniques. Proactive agricultural policies must be implemented, in order to be able to respond to the impacts of drought. For example, crop diversification can help reduce the risk of overall losses in food production. The role of the international community is also very important. Global cooperation in sharing technology and knowledge can help countries most vulnerable to the impacts of drought improve their food security. Food aid programs must be scaled up, ensuring vulnerable groups have stable access to food when crises occur. Global drought is a complex problem that requires a holistic solution. Awareness and collective action are key in efforts to achieve food security in the future.
