Farmers grapple with record drought and heat as climate crisis accelerates

Record-breaking heat and a sharp decline in rainfall have left European agriculture on the brink, with the Environment Agency labeling half of England as drought-affected and France confronting fires deemed the worst since the second world war. Norfolk farmer Tim Young, tracking weather since 1976, notes his river water licence was halted last year, forcing him to purchase expensive water and consider costly reservoirs that face planning hurdles.

In France’s Dordogne, organic grower Uyen Do, who switched to sustainable methods in 2018, says the rapid pace of climate change is overwhelming her farm’s ability to adapt. Across the UK, the National Farmers’ Union warns that stored water may be exhausted by August, while Riverford’s Luke King relies on humidity sensors and soil probes to stretch dwindling supplies. Food-chain players such as Pip and Nut’s founder Pippa Murray cite California almond orchards being abandoned due to water stress, highlighting a global trend. Met Office food-security adviser Pete Falloon calls for wider adoption of existing regenerative practices, improved flood control, and drought-tolerant crop varieties to protect the food system.