Agriculture Minister Outlines Five Key Strategies to Mitigate Drought in Preparation for El Niño
Agriculture Minister (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman is accelerating mitigation measures to address the potential El Niño through the implementation of five key strategies on the ground. These efforts are focused on the critical period of April–June 2026 to maintain food production stability amid changing climate conditions.
“In line with the BMKG warning that there is an El Niño, this is quite concerning. We need to take strategic steps and accelerate them,” Amran said, quoted from a written statement received on Friday (3/4).
Amid the potential drought threat from El Niño, the government is continuously strengthening anticipatory measures to ensure national food availability, including bolstering stocks and accelerating production in various regions.
“I thank my colleagues; our current achievement is a stock of 4.4 million tonnes today, and insha’Allah, this month it can reach 5 million tonnes. This is thanks to all our hard work,” he stated.
To maintain this momentum, the Ministry of Agriculture is accelerating five key strategies. First, mapping drought-prone areas and strengthening the early warning system so that anticipatory measures can be taken more quickly and accurately.
Second, optimising water management through the rehabilitation of irrigation networks, utilisation of reservoirs, and strengthening of pump irrigation, including pump irrigation and piping systems in various regions.
Third, accelerating planting in areas that still have water potential, particularly in Central Java, East Java, and West Java, as well as promoting the use of superior drought-resistant and short-duration varieties.
Fourth, optimising land utilisation, including swamp land and newly constructed paddy fields, so they can be planted immediately without delay to meet production targets.
Fifth, strengthening coordination and synergy between the central government, regional authorities, TNI, and all stakeholders to ensure acceleration is effective on the ground.
Amran emphasised the importance of accelerating mitigation from mobilising swamp land optimisation, newly constructed paddy fields, pump irrigation, to pump irrigation (irpom), including deep and shallow wells.
“We should utilise the ongoing rainy season, especially in Central Java, East Java, and West Java. Please accelerate in areas that still have rain. Then, accelerate swamp land optimisation, plant the already constructed paddy fields immediately, and mobilise pump irrigation and irpom,” he explained.
These measures have begun to be implemented concretely on the ground through accelerated planting in areas with available water, land optimisation and newly constructed paddy fields, as well as strengthening pump irrigation and irpom in various regions.
To support this acceleration, Amran has asked regional governments to immediately propose their needs so that budget adjustments can be made quickly.
“Even regions across Indonesia that still need irpom should propose now via online. District heads should propose quickly so we can shift the budget. Those needing pumps, please monitor,” he clarified.
Amran stressed that the success of these efforts depends heavily on the speed of action on the ground, especially during the critical period of April to June 2026, which will determine production stability amid climate challenges.
“What determines it is April-June. If we pass the target, insha’Allah, food self-sufficiency will be sustainable. The critical points are April, May, June,” he said.
He is optimistic that through solid collaboration between the central and regional governments, TNI support, active extension workers, and the hard work of farmers on the ground, food self-sufficiency can be maintained consistently. This cross-sectoral synergy is seen as the key to strengthening national food resilience, maintaining production stability amid climate challenges, and promoting sustainable farmer welfare.
“I believe self-sufficiency is achieved because of all of you. This is our collective hard work. This is our pride at a time of global economic crisis, where agriculture steps up to mitigate risks, stabilise food, and improve farmer welfare,” Amran concluded.
The Godzilla El Niño phenomenon has the potential to pressure national agricultural production due to prolonged drought and increase the risk of crop failure.
Some areas in Lamongan are still frequently hit by rain, including heavy rain with high intensity in the last two days.
“Because we know that today there are still some regions experiencing rain, so water availability is sufficient in those areas.”
This is due to the lack of rain in those areas over the past two months. The condition is exacerbated by the drying up of several reservoirs and retention ponds in the local North Coast area.
Drought-prone areas due to the dry season impacts include Sukaluyu Subdistrict, Ciranjang, Cibeber, and several other regions.
The government is strengthening the Government Food Reserve (CPP) as an anticipatory step to face the potential El Niño phenomenon expected to start in May 2026.
As many as 815 villages in 26 subdistricts in East Java are at risk of drought due to this year’s prolonged dry season, predicted to experience Godzilla El Niño.
The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has warned of the strong potential for El Niño or Godzilla, which will impact drought during the 2026 dry season.
Indonesia’s water availability potential reaches 3.9 billion cubic metres per year, with 80% of national water used for the agricultural/irrigation sector.
The drier dry season conditions are also influenced by indications of a weak El Niño phenomenon that could emerge in mid-to-late 2026.