Stronger Food System Offers Cushion Against El Niño Near-record food inventories, advances in agricultural technology and the emergence of major exporters such as Brazil and Russia have made the global food system more resilient to this year’s potentially powerful El Niño than during previous severe episodes. Global agricultural production has generally outpaced consumption and population growth since the 1980s, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and analysts. Higher-yielding crop varieties, increased fertiliser use, improved irrigation and better crop protection have significantly raised production of major staples including rice, wheat, corn and soybeans. “Even during drought conditions, better…