ISEAS Perspective: The Critical Impact of Extreme Heat on Rice Production in Southeast Asia

A farmer plants rice seedlings at a paddy field in Lhoknga, Aceh province | Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP taken on 19 May 2025.

In this paper published by NYSEAN Partner ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Elyssa Ludher asserts that climate change has a severe impact in Southeast Asia in the form of extreme heat on rice production. According to climate modelling in Singapore’s Third National Climate Change Study, extreme heat will reduce the supply of rice, Southeast Asia’s staple crop, and may lead to food insecurity and social instability.

Elyssa Kaur Ludher is Visiting Fellow at the Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. Prior to joining, Elyssa contributed to food policy research at the World Bank, Centre for Liveable Cities Singapore, and the Singapore Food Agency.