Minister Confirms Food Stock Security Amid El Niño Mitigation Efforts

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has confirmed that his ministry has prepared mitigation measures to address the potential occurrence of El Niño. Amran stated that food stocks are secure in the face of the drought phenomenon.

This was conveyed by Amran after reporting to President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6/2026). Amran said his report covered livestock, plantations, and food.

“We were just summoned by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, who inquired about the general progress of agriculture, from food, horticulture, livestock, to plantations. The first thing we reported is that our stock as of today, this month of June, stands at around 5.2 million tonnes,” said Amran.

Amran explained that current food reserves could last for the next 11 months, until April 2027. Thus, food supply can be maintained should El Niño occur.

“This means, with these reserves, all three categories, it could last 10 to 11 months ahead. If we assume the lowest estimate is 10 months ahead, that means until April. From July to April is 10 months ahead. That is sufficient, while in March the peak harvest already occurs,” Amran stated.

“So the impact of the Godzilla El Niño, as conveyed by the BMKG, God willing, we can mitigate the risk,” he continued.

Amran mentioned that his ministry has built reservoirs, pump irrigation systems, deep wells, implemented pump-based irrigation, and optimised land use.

“Then we continue with printing new rice fields. All of this can mitigate the risk. Once again, God willing, our food situation is safe,” he said.

Prabowo gave instructions during the meeting. According to Amran, Prabowo asked his staff to mitigate the risks of El Niño if it occurs.

“He provided direction, gave instructions to follow up and be vigilant about the Godzilla El Niño. Then, to accelerate downstream processing, and God willing, the plantation sector, the 870,000 hectares mentioned earlier for the people of all Indonesia, for our farmers, that is great and creates new jobs,” he stated.