Preventing Crop Failure from El Niño Effects: Amran Intensifies Mitigation Efforts

Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman has revealed that the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on agricultural land in 2026 will be smaller compared to previous periods. He assessed that the condition will not significantly disrupt national food production.

Amran stated that the total area of agricultural land experiencing ‘puso’ (crop failure) in 2026 is expected to reach approximately 18,000 hectares. This figure is lower than in 2023, which reached 25,000 hectares.

“Crop failure in 2026 is 18,000 hectares, whereas in 2023 it was 25,000 hectares. So it is smaller this year because we have intensified pumpisation,” said Amran when met at the BRMP Padi Sukamandi in Subang, West Java, on Wednesday (2/9/2026).

According to him, the government has prepared several mitigation steps to face the impacts of El Niño, primarily by ensuring water availability for agricultural land. These steps are being carried out through pumpisation programmes and irrigation repairs. The government is also encouraging increased agricultural productivity and the use of seeds that are more drought-resistant.

“God willing, we are mitigating the impacts of El Niño because we have prepared far in advance. First, pumpisation. Second, irrigation. Third, we are doubling production through methods such as PM AAS, increasing productivity from 5 tons to 10 tons, or 6 tons to 11 tons. Fourth, drought-resistant seeds. That is how we mitigate El Niño,” he said.

Amran noted that the experience of facing previous El Niño conditions serves as capital for the government to suppress its impact on agricultural production this year.

“We already have the experience, right? God willing, it is safe. With all these measures, considering production up to October, there are only November and December left. There are only two months remaining, as production is already underway from October,” he added.

He further noted that national rice production has reached over 31.4 million tonnes to date. With this achievement, Amran assessed that the potential for production decline due to weather conditions for the remainder of the year is relatively limited.

“There are only two months left. Currently, national production is already over 31.4 million tonnes. Even if next month is at its worst and adds 1.5 million tonnes, the annual production would only decrease by 30,000 tonnes,” said Amran.

With these various mitigation steps, Amran is optimistic that the impact of El Niño on the agricultural sector in 2026 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the government has expanded the use of pumps to anticipate drought in food production centres.