Drought is a devastating and complex natural hazard that represents a constant risk for most smallholder farmers around the world. Between 2006 and 2016, the agriculture sector absorbed about 83 percent of all damage and loss associated with drought according to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This represents a major threat to food security, especially among the most vulnerable. 

This publication aims to guide governments and other relevant actors in the development of early warning - early actions on agricultural drought plans that must be implemented before a drought event has significant impacts and causes damages and losses that could eventually become a disaster. The manual complements other instruments used at global and local levels to develop early warning - early action on agricultural and response plans related to drought.