Attachments
This assessment examines agronomic conditions and the impacts of climate change, focusing on droughts affecting Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Viet Nam along the Lower Mekong River. The region is critical for agriculture and is highly vulnerable to climate change, with Thailand, Viet Nam, and Cambodia ranked among the most at-risk nations globally, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic also facing considerable climate risk.
Since 2001, frequent droughts in Thailand (11), Cambodia (4), Viet Nam (4), and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1) have posed significant challenges to agricultural productivity. In situ observations of agronomic conditions have limitations, prompting the use of geospatial and space-based technologies to address these challenges. The assessment aims to leverage geospatial information integrating digital and space technologies as part of the Asia-Pacific Plan of Action on Space Applications for Sustainable Development (2018–2030).
The assessment addresses the geographic and climatic characteristics of the target countries, to analyze the historical drought trends, trends in agricultural production, land use and land cover (LULC) composition, soil textures, and the influence of weather (temperature, precipitation) on agricultural practices and vegetation changes. Findings reveal shift in crop patterns, such as shift from rice to cassava in Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic reflects adaptation to market demands and environmental change. Thailand reliance on smallholder farmers and Viet Nam’s expanding vegetable production face risks from water management issues and heat stress. The region’s reliance on rainfed agriculture, coupled with rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall exacerbates vulnerabilities. Overall, regional food security is at risk due to the combined effects of climate change, evolving agricultural practices, and the challenges of adapting to new environmental conditions.