Why rice crops could be in for a weird year

El Niño weather patterns and the climate crisis are causing extreme dry, hot conditions that could lead to a significant drop in global rice production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects a decline in rice yields for the first time in over a decade, with U.S. production expected to fall to its lowest level in 40 years. Investments in agricultural technologies like irrigation and drought-resistant rice strains may help mitigate the impact.