Amran Says Government is Prepared to Face El Niño, Food Stocks Abundant

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the government is prepared to face the Godzilla El Niño, which is predicted to trigger a long dry spell in Indonesia. Amran acknowledged that extreme hot weather is beginning to be felt and could affect agricultural production. However, the government has experience in weathering El Niño from several years ago. “That Godzilla El Niño is said to cause dryness for 6 months. But it seems the previous El Niño in 2015 was even stronger. We have experience managing El Niño together with colleagues in 2015, 2023, and 2024,” Amran said in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday (5/4/2026). This figure represents the highest government rice stock achievement in Indonesia’s history since independence. “Now our stock is the highest since independence. 4.5 million. Insya Allah, in the next 10 days or 20 days, it will be 5 million,” Amran said. Besides the CBP stock, food stocks are also distributed across various sectors. The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) records rice stocks in hotels, restaurants, and catering (Horeka) reaching 12.5 million tonnes. In addition, there is rice still in the form of unmilled paddy in rice fields (standing crop). “Now ready for harvest, that’s 11 million tonnes. So it’s already 23 million tonnes,” Amran explained. According to him, these rice stocks can meet the national food needs for a long time, even passing the peak of the Godzilla El Niño period. “That means for the next 11 months, it’s safe. The stock for the Indonesian people is safe for the next 11 months. Whereas the drought is 6 months. So it’s safe, right?” Amran said. Kementan is increasing the number of pumps to irrigate rice fields, preparing irrigation, and optimising swamp lands. “I’m adding pump installations. Hopefully 40 thousand. So it will be stronger. So no need to worry about El Niño because our defences are strong,” Amran said.