Central Java governor urges drought preparedness amid long dry season forecast

Governor Ahmad Luthfi of Central Java has called on all regents and mayors in the province to proactively prepare for a potentially prolonged dry season and identify areas vulnerable to drought. The directive follows a recent rice harvest event in Sukoharjo.

Luthfi highlighted that the upcoming challenge is the seasonal change, with forecasts indicating a long dry spell. He stressed the importance of mapping regions likely to be impacted by drought to ensure the province meets its food self-sufficiency targets. During discussions with farmers, various concerns were raised, including the need for water for the third planting season, electricity for agricultural wells, assistance with combine harvesters, soil processing equipment, and improvements to farm roads and irrigation channels.

In response, Luthfi assured that the Central Java Provincial Government would optimize support for agricultural infrastructure. Regarding harvesting equipment, the provincial government plans to coordinate the rotational use of its combine harvesters and will propose additional machinery aid to the Ministry of Agriculture. Central Java has also received approximately 17,000 pumps, which will be distributed based on regional needs, aiming to facilitate irrigation during the dry season.

"The important thing is that water reaches the fields and the farmers' needs are met," Luthfi stated. He projected that Central Java would produce 6.69 million tons of dry milled grain between January and July 2026, contributing significantly to the national target of 10.5 million tons by year-end. Luthfi noted Sukoharjo's specific success, with a 25% increase in dry milled grain production, amounting to nearly 160,000 tons, serving as a model for other districts.