Thailand's centuries-old rice cultivation system is under severe stress from climate change, unsustainable farm debts and a lack of innovation, reports say.

The island's economy was crushed by its worst financial crisis in over seven decades, caused by a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves that triggered widespread unrest and ousted its former president.

The monsoon, vital for India's US$3 trillion economy, delivers nearly 70% of the rain needed to water its farms and refill reservoirs and aquifers.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos says 'putting it under the government's tab is the right thing to do'.

Mazlan Aliman says millions of farmers will be affected if issues concerning food security are not addressed.

About one-third of China's wheat is grown in Henan province, earning it the nickname the granary of China.

The appointments have been approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Extreme heat has caused more than 24,000 deaths since 1992 and has also driven up air pollution and accelerated glacial melt in northern India, scholars say.

A heatwave for the second straight year could dent production of wheat, rapeseed and chickpeas, and complicate governments efforts to bring down food inflation.

A total of 3,000 foreign workers have been registered so far through the Labour Recalibration Programme 2.0 to fill the vacancies in the sector.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu says the country's food supply is nevertheless still intact.

The drought has already 'severely affected' mid-season rice and summer corn in some southern regions, the ministry of agriculture says.