How does extreme weather affect agriculture?

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and heatwaves, have devastating effects on agriculture. Floods can wash away topsoil, damage crops, and disrupt planting and harvesting schedules, leading to significant yield losses. Droughts, on the other hand, reduce water availability, causing water stress in plants, which diminishes growth and productivity. Heatwaves can lead to heat stress, impacting plant metabolism and reducing yields. Furthermore, extreme weather can increase the incidence of pests and diseases as these conditions create favorable environments for their proliferation. Overall, extreme weather not only directly damages crops and livestock but also disrupts the infrastructure and supply chains necessary for agricultural production, leading to economic losses and food insecurity.