Ministry of Agriculture Ensures Rice Production in West Java is Protected from Potential Drought

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), together with the West Java Provincial Government, is ensuring that rice production remains optimal through anticipatory measures to address the potential dry season expected to last from April to October 2026.

“This effort is focused on strengthening water availability and seed support to keep rice production optimal and ensure food supplies remain secure,” said Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman in his statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

It was noted that West Java Province, as one of the national rice granaries with an irrigated paddy field area of around 900,772 hectares, plays a strategic role in maintaining national rice production stability.

It is known that the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) predicts that this year’s dry season could be longer and drier, particularly in the western and southern regions of Indonesia.

To address this situation, the Ministry of Agriculture, along with local governments and relevant stakeholders, has prepared various strategic measures, including strengthening agricultural irrigation networks, optimising pump irrigation, providing water pump assistance, and maximising non-swamp land.

In addition, the government is distributing rice seed assistance as part of efforts to maintain productivity amid climate pressures.

Amran emphasised that the government has prepared comprehensive anticipatory steps to face the dry season, particularly through strengthening irrigation and pump irrigation to maintain water availability for agriculture.

“Water is the key factor. Therefore, strengthening irrigation, pump irrigation, and seed support must proceed together so that farmers can continue to produce optimally,” he said.

Through coordinated measures, he hopes that water availability for agriculture will be maintained, so that rice production and productivity in West Java Province can be sustained or even increased, despite facing climate change challenges.