Along with highlighting the role of disasters in disrupting food production, the report identifies digital transformation as a game-changer for agricultural disaster risk reduction. 

Key Highlights of the Report

• Financial Loss: Disasters have inflicted ~USD 3.26 trillion in agricultural losses over 33 years (1991–2023), with cereal crops bearing the heaviest burden.
  • Asia accounts for largest share of losses amounting 47% owing to high scale of agricultural production and its high exposure to floods, storms, etc. 
• Disruption in Nutritional Requirements: Disasters correspond to a reduced availability of 320 kcal per person per day globally. 
• Livelihood Impact: Marine heatwaves caused $6.6 billion losses between 1985 and 2022, affecting 15% of global fisheries, impacting the dependent populations. 

Key Role of Technology in Agriculture

• Resilience of Agrifood System: Data platforms bridge infrastructure gaps allowing for timely and at-scale deployment of risk transfer mechanism. 
• Shift from a reactive response to proactive risk reduction: Improved access to real-time and actionable intelligence. E.g., Early warning systems, like Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS), etc. 
• Economic Benefits: E.g., Agrometeorological advisory services benefitted farmers in India with reduced input costs by USD 29.65 per hectare for wheat.