A Powerful El Niño Is Threatening Farming Livelihoods.

Preparing Now Can Make a Difference.

Across the world, smallholder farmers face growing risks from extreme droughts, flooding and disrupted growing seasons.

Heifer International is working to strengthen farmers’ resilience and exploring ways to help communities prepare for the effects of the 2026–2027 El Niño.

Farmers cannot control the weather. But with the right information, resources and support, they can take steps to protect their crops, livestock, incomes and the futures they’re building for their families.

A Historic El Niño. Serious Risks for Farmers.

El Niño is a recurring climate phenomenon that changes weather patterns around the world. It can bring severe drought to some regions and unusually heavy rainfall and flooding to others.

The 2026–2027 El Niño is forecast to be exceptionally strong. For smallholder farmers, extreme weather can threaten everything they’ve worked to build.

Drought can destroy crops and threaten livestock. Without reliable rainfall, farmers may struggle to grow food, maintain pastures or provide water for their animals.
Flooding can damage farms and infrastructure. Heavy rainfall destroys crops, damages roads and storage facilities, and interrupts the transportation of agricultural products.
Lost harvests can threaten families’ livelihoods. Farmers may lose more than a season’s income – the resources they’ve invested in their farms over the years can also be at risk.

In parts of Central America, the effects are already being felt. Farmers in Honduras and Guatemala are confronting severe drought conditions and crop losses as El Niño disrupts seasonal rainfall.

And although the risks differ by location, communities across South America, Africa, and Asia may also face significant weather-related challenges.

90% of climate-related disasters are caused by too much or too little water.

United Nations

Farmer Milexi Rodríguez in Olanchito, Honduras.

When Disaster Strikes, Farmers Can Lose Years of Progress

In 2023, livestock farmer Milexi Rodríguez lost her cattle to drought in Honduras.

Today, as Honduras faces another severe drought, Milexi has resources to draw upon.

Her story shows how access to support can help farmers build resilience.

Read Milexi’s story

The Time to Prepare Is Before Disaster Strikes

1. Anticipate the risks

Work with farmers and producer organizations to identify the crops, livestock, infrastructure and income sources most vulnerable to drought, flooding and other hazards.

2. Take practical action

Help turn weather information and early warnings into decisions that protect livelihoods – that are customized to local needs.

3. Learn what works

Evaluate the results of preparedness measures to understand what was protected, what losses were reduced and how effective approaches could be strengthened or applied elsewhere.

Farmers Are Building Their Futures. Climate Shocks Shouldn’t Force Them to Start Over.

Every crop planted, animal raised and agricultural business built represents time, effort and investment.

For smallholder farmers, protecting that progress is essential to maintaining income, feeding their families and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Heifer already works with producer organizations in Honduras, Guatemala and Ecuador. Through these relationships, we have an opportunity to identify local risks and help farmers take preventive action before conditions worsen.

The risks are urgent. The opportunity to prepare is now.

Partner With Heifer to Help Farmers Prepare

Partner with Heifer to explore how we can protect farming livelihoods, strengthen food systems and reduce the impacts of extreme weather.

Start a conversation about partnership opportunities.