NUR-SULTAN, KAZAKHSTAN — Kazakhstan grain production may be reduced by 37% by 2030 due to the impact of climate change, according to a recent World Bank study.

The World Bank said Central Asia will be among the most climate vulnerable regions in the coming decades and forecasts significant temperature increases in that area of the world.

It said 66% of Kazakhstan, which is the world’s ninth largest country by land mass and second largest in arable land per inhabitant, is vulnerable to drought.

“Today we see rising temperatures, melting of glaciers, declining water resources and natural disasters as droughts and floods occur more often,” the World Bank said. “This all has huge economic damage on countries in Central Asia.”

The World Bank noted that glaciers in the region have shrunk by one-third since the beginning of the 20^th century and the average temperature has risen by 0.5 degrees F in the southern portion of Central Asia and 1.6 degrees F in the northern part since the mid-20^th century.

Key recommendations include upgrading outdated infrastructure, promoting effective use of energy resources and trying to practice more sustainable agriculture production.

In 2018-19, Kazakhstan was the eighth largest wheat exporter in the world, shipping 8.5 million tonnes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.