The Godzilla El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon has the potential to suppress\nnational agricultural production due to prolonged droughts. Experts from\nGadjah Mada University (UGM) warn that this condition could increase the\nrisk of crop failure and disrupt Indonesia\u2019s food security.<\/p>\n
Professor of Agrometeorology at UGM, Bayu Dwi Apri Nugroho, explained\nthat El Ni\u00f1o is a natural cycle that is now increasingly difficult to\npredict due to global climate change. He noted that the term Godzilla El\nNi\u00f1o is used to describe the phenomenon\u2019s intensity, which is far\nstronger than usual.<\/p>\n
\u201cEl Ni\u00f1o is actually a natural cycle that has occurred for a long\ntime. But now its pattern feels faster due to global warming. If the\nintensity is very strong, the impact will certainly be felt in\nagriculture, especially in terms of production,\u201d he said on Thursday\n(3\/4).<\/p>\n
According to Bayu, the most significant impact of Godzilla El Ni\u00f1o is\nfelt on major food commodities like rice and maize, which heavily depend\non water availability. A reduction in water supply will hinder plant\ngrowth and could even cause permanent damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cRice and maize are the most affected because they require a lot of\nwater. If water is insufficient, growth is disrupted, and it can lead to\ncrop failure,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
This situation directly impacts farmers. Drought occurring after\nplanting risks causing major losses because production costs are not\nrecouped.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf drought happens after planting, farmers could face crop failure.\nThat means the costs already incurred are not recovered and become\nlosses,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
To reduce risks, Bayu emphasised the importance of mitigation\nmeasures at the farmer level, particularly through strengthened\ncommunication with agricultural extension officers. Access to weather\ninformation and selection of crop varieties are key to decision-making\nin the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key lies in communication between farmers and extension\nofficers. If the information is clear, farmers can make more accurate\ndecisions in the field,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
He added that Indonesia has experience dealing with El Ni\u00f1o,\nincluding through pump irrigation programmes, water-saving irrigation,\nand the development of drought-resistant varieties. However, their\neffectiveness depends on farmers\u2019 ability to adapt.<\/p>\n
In terms of policy, Bayu urged strengthening early warning systems by\nthe Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency down to the village\nlevel. Additionally, agricultural technology innovations need to be\ncontinuously developed by universities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government through BMKG needs to provide accurate early warnings\ndown to the village level, while universities must be encouraged to\nproduce innovations in drought-resistant varieties so that the impact of\nEl Ni\u00f1o can be minimised,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
The government is strengthening the Government Food Reserves (CPP) as\na pre-emptive measure against the potential El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon expected\nto begin in May 2026.<\/p>\n
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman is accelerating\nmitigation efforts against the potential El Ni\u00f1o through the\nimplementation of five main strategies in the field.<\/p>\n
As many as 815 villages in 26 sub-districts in East Java are at risk\nof drought due to this year\u2019s prolonged dry season, predicted to\nexperience Godzilla El Ni\u00f1o.<\/p>\n
Regents have also requested that damaged irrigation be repaired\nimmediately and existing weirs be optimally functioned to ensure water\nsupply continues to flow to agricultural lands.<\/p>\n
PTPN IV PalmCo has declared a state of alert in facing the potential\ndry season this year, in line with predictions of the possible emergence\nof the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon.<\/p>\n
Floods in Grobogan have inundated 1,842 hectares of rice fields and\naffected 9,736 families. The Central Java Provincial Government is\nfacilitating crop insurance claims (AUTP) for farmers facing crop\nfailure.<\/p>\n
Most residents who cultivate agricultural land around the landslide\narea have experienced crop failure due to access roads to gardens being\nblocked by landslide material.<\/p>\n
Recent extreme weather has triggered high rainfall, increasing the\npotential for crop failure. Local governments are beginning to prepare\nto anticipate this potential.<\/p>\n
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman revealed that 4,000\nhectares of rice fields have been affected by crop failure due to\ndisasters on Sumatra Island.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of hectares of rice fields in Fajar Indah Village, Pulau\nBesar Sub-district, South Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Province, have\nagain been flooded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/godzilla-el-nino-phenomenon-threatens-food-production-farmers-at-risk-of-crop-failure-1775207374", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }