Food Agency: El Niño Has Not Significantly Affected Agriculture

Indonesia's National Food Agency (NFA) reports that the prolonged El Niño drought has not yet caused significant disruptions to the nation's agriculture. The agency is actively monitoring weather patterns in collaboration with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Sarwo Edhy, the NFA's Principal Secretary, stated that current weather conditions remain relatively normal, allowing for continued agricultural production. He emphasized that the government has advised farmers to adhere to recommended planting schedules. To safeguard national food security against potential El Niño impacts, the government has bolstered its food reserve stocks, with a particular focus on rice.

Projections for the first half of 2026 indicate a total rice production of 19.2 million tons, exceeding the estimated national consumption of 15.4 million tons for the same period. A surplus of 3.7 million tons is expected to be converted into government reserves through Bulog's absorption efforts. The NFA anticipates that current rice reserves will be sufficient to meet national consumption needs through the first five months of 2027.

“

Regarding the weather, it remains quite normal, so it has not affected crop cultivation. Thus, increased production can still be achieved.