{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1689218,
        "msgid": "indonesia-boosts-irrigation-to-counter-el-nino-risks-1776689472",
        "date": "2026-04-20 18:42:28",
        "title": "Indonesia boosts irrigation to counter El Ni\u00f1o risks",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Agriculture",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has announced a Rp3 trillion (US$169.5 million) increase in the irrigation budget to protect food production from the prolonged dry season and El Ni\u00f1o effects. The initiative includes strengthening irrigation infrastructure for 1.5 million hectares of farmland, developing 30,000 hectares of new rice fields, and providing 80,000 water pumps to drought-affected areas, alongside Rp2 trillion for drought-resistant seeds to enhance cropping indices in rain-fed regions. These measures aim to stabilise agricultural output, boost national rice reserves to five million tons, and improve farmers' welfare by reducing dependence on seasonal rainfall.",
        "content": "<p>\u201cWe are increasing the irrigation budget by more than Rp3 trillion\n(US$169.5 million),\u201d Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said,\noutlining efforts to shield food production from a prolonged dry season\nexpected in several regions.<\/p>\n<p>The policy is designed to maintain stable agricultural output as\ndrought risks rise, with officials warning that erratic rainfall could\ndisrupt planting cycles and reduce yields if left unaddressed.<\/p>\n<p>More than Rp3 trillion of the total allocation will go toward\nstrengthening irrigation infrastructure, including installing pumps and\noptimizing water sources in drought-prone farming areas.<\/p>\n<p>The government is also launching a program to develop 30,000 hectares\n(74,000 acres) of new rice fields, aiming to expand cultivation areas\nand gradually boost national food production capacity.<\/p>\n<p>Sulaiman said the irrigation drive will cover up to 1.5 million\nhectares of farmland nationwide, using a mix of pumping systems and\nimproved access to rivers, reservoirs and other water sources.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities have opened registration for 80,000 water pumps,\ntargeting around 1 million hectares of rice fields affected by drought\nconditions.<\/p>\n<p>In parallel, about Rp2 trillion (US$113 million) has been allocated\nto supply superior drought-resistant seeds to farmers, particularly in\nrain-fed and upland areas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese seeds are designed to raise the cropping index, allowing\nfarmers to harvest more than once a year despite limited water,\u201d\nSulaiman said.<\/p>\n<p>The program focuses on areas that typically produce only one crop\nannually due to water shortages, aiming to increase planting frequency\nand improve productivity.<\/p>\n<p>Officials say better irrigation and water access will allow more\nefficient land use, reducing reliance on seasonal rainfall.<\/p>\n<p>Sulaiman added that rice production remains robust, with government\nreserves at 4.9 million tons and expected to reach five million tons\nsoon.<\/p>\n<p>The government expressed confidence that the combined measures will\nsustain food output while gradually improving farmers\u2019 welfare\nnationwide.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia ready for El Ni\u00f1o with rice surplus:\nminister<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Safeguarding rice production as dry season and El Nino\nloom<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-boosts-irrigation-to-counter-el-nino-risks-1776689472",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}