Corn is one of the world’s most important food crops. It feeds billions of people, supports livestock, and is used for fuel and industry. But climate change is putting corn under serious threat, turning a basic food into a growing geopolitical problem.
Why Corn Is at Risk
Corn needs large amounts of water to grow. As droughts and heatwaves become more common, corn harvests are shrinking in many parts of the world. This is especially dangerous in Africa, where corn is a staple food for millions. In eastern and southern Africa, corn provides more than half of daily calories and protein.
Most farmers in the region depend on rain, not irrigation. When rains fail, crops fail. As a result, Africa now imports about $50 billion in food each year, and prices are rising as climate shocks disrupt global supply chains.
The problem is not limited to Africa. Major corn producers like the United States, Brazil, China, and Ukraine are also facing more extreme
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