The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has assured that Indonesia is\nready to face the potential impacts of El Nino, supported by food stocks\nat the highest level in history.<\/p>\n
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman acknowledged that the\neffects of extreme hot weather are already being felt and could\npotentially affect agricultural production. However, the government has\nexperience in handling similar conditions in previous years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat Godzilla El Nino is said to bring six months of drought. But it\nseems the previous El Nino in 2015 was even more severe. We already have\nexperience managing El Nino with our colleagues in 2015, 2023, and\n2024,\u201d Amran said after inspecting a Bulog warehouse in Makassar, South\nSulawesi, on Sunday (5\/4).<\/p>\n
He emphasised that national food security is currently in a very\nstrong position. The government\u2019s stored rice stocks have reached the\nhighest figure in Indonesia\u2019s history, touching 4.5 million tonnes at\nthe beginning of April 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow our stocks are the highest since independence. 4.5 million.\nInsya Allah, in the next 10 days or 20 days, it will be 5 million,\u201d he\nasserted.<\/p>\n
In addition to stocks in government warehouses, Amran also revealed\nthe availability of food distributed in other sectors and ongoing\nproduction potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second is what\u2019s in Horeka (hotels, restaurants, cafes\/catering)\naccording to our data, that\u2019s 12.5 million tonnes. Then the standing\ncrop that\u2019s currently planted and ready for harvest, that\u2019s 11 million\ntonnes. So already 23 million tonnes,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
With this total availability, he estimated that national food needs\ncan be met for a long period, even exceeding the peak drought\nperiod.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means for the next 11 months, it\u2019s safe. Stocks for the\nIndonesian people are safe for the next 11 months. Whereas the drought\nis six months. So it\u2019s safe, right?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Amran also emphasised that various strategic steps have been taken to\nstrengthen the production system, from increasing pump irrigation to\noptimising swamp lands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve added pump irrigation. Yes, hopefully 40 thousand. So it gets\nstronger. So no need to worry about El Nino because our defences are\nstrong. Because we already have pump irrigation, irrigation, then the\nswamp lands that we planted before, we repair the irrigation, plant\nonce, become twice, three times,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
He urged the public not to worry about the current extreme weather\nconditions, as the government has prepared measured mitigation\nsteps.<\/p>\n
Amran stressed that this achievement is the result of collaboration\nfrom all parties in carrying out President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s directives\nin facing potential global crises.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur rice is abundant. Let\u2019s be grateful, this is the fruit of the\ngreat idea of Mr President. He created a great idea, we collaborate\nbelow, work together, so we enjoy the results today, at a time when\ngeopolitics is heating up, Alhamdulillah we are calm, food prices are\ngood, even abundant, we\u2019re grateful,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/food-stocks-secure-indonesia-prepared-to-face-godzilla-el-nino-1775649138", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }