Facing Scorching Heat, Amran Announces This Important News to Farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) is encouraging farmers to adopt water-saving technologies to face the threat of increasingly unpredictable dry seasons, including the potential El Niño “Godzilla” predicted by BRIN some time ago. One method being relied upon is Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), which has been proven to save up to 20% of irrigation water usage without reducing rice productivity. This water efficiency effort is considered crucial amid the pressures of climate change impacting water availability. Through the AWD method, farmers can regulate water application more precisely, allowing crops to grow optimally even under limited water conditions. Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman emphasised that water management is a key factor in maintaining the sustainability of agricultural production, especially as drought risks increase. “Water management is a crucial factor in the success of agricultural production. Planned and efficient water availability is very important in suppressing drought risks and maintaining productivity,” said Amran in his statement, quoted on Friday (27/3/2026). In line with that, the Head of the Agricultural Assembly and Modernisation Agency (BRMP) of Kementan, Fadjry Djufry, described AWD as an adaptive solution to address water scarcity challenges in the field, particularly during the dry season. “The Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology is an adaptive solution in facing water limitations. With measured water regulation, farmers can maintain optimal crop conditions while reducing dependence on continuous flooding, making them more prepared to face drought risks,” stated Fadjry. He explained that AWD technology was first developed by the International Rice Research Institute in 2009 and has been adapted in Indonesia since 2013. “Based on testing results over six planting seasons, through the AWD technique, water scarcity in paddy fields can be suppressed or even avoided. This technology can save 17%-20% of irrigation water usage,” he said. In addition to water efficiency, the implementation of AWD is also considered to have positive environmental impacts, including soil condition improvements and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields. “Moreover, this method also provides positive environmental impacts through soil condition improvements and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields,” Fadjry continued. Meanwhile, BRMP Agricultural Environment Analyst Ali Pramono explained that AWD implementation involves regulating irrigation cycles based on soil moisture conditions, so that paddy fields are not continuously flooded. “Water condition observations are carried out using a simple tool in the form of a PVC pipe with a diameter of 10-15 cm and length of 30-100 cm, perforated on all sides and wrapped in gauze, then buried until only 10-20 cm remains above the soil surface. This pipe works on the principle of a simple piezometer (a liquid pressure measuring device),” explained Ali. The pipe is placed in an easily accessible area to monitor water depth representing the general field conditions. “Re-irrigation is generally carried out when the water level in the pipe has dropped to around 10-15 cm below the soil surface, then water is applied again in limited amounts until the water level reaches 3-5 cm to maintain soil moisture,” he added. This irrigation cycle is repeated with adjustments to weather and field conditions, while still ensuring sufficient water during critical crop phases, such as fertilisation up to the flowering phase. According to Ali, this method not only increases water use efficiency but also improves soil structure and root systems, making plants more resistant to drought stress and potentially increasing yields. “AWD is not just an irrigation technique, but also part of a mitigation strategy that strengthens the resilience of the rice production system,” clarified Ali. Previously, BRIN predicted that Indonesia would face a strong intensity El Niño phenomenon, often dubbed “Godzilla,” this year. This condition has the potential to make the dry season longer and drier, especially in western and southern Indonesia. El Niño itself is a phenomenon of warming sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean that impacts reduced rainfall in Indonesia. In its strong phase, this phenomenon is called “Godzilla” because it can trigger significant climate anomalies. “El Niño is a phenomenon of warming sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The El Niño phenomenon, including the potential strong ‘Godzilla’ variation, causes the dry season in Indonesia to become longer and drier,” wrote BRIN Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre Researcher Erma Yulihastin, quoted from the official Instagram post @brin_indonesia, on Saturday (21/3/2026).