Indonesia anticipates El Nino, assures water and food security

Indonesia is actively bolstering its defenses against the anticipated effects of El Nino, a weather phenomenon expected to overlap with the nation's dry season. The government, under President Prabowo Subianto's directive, is prioritizing preparedness across all sectors to mitigate potential disruptions.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), confirmed that President Subianto has instructed all ministries, agencies, and regional governments to heighten their readiness. The focus is on safeguarding the public's well-being, particularly concerning food security, economic stability, and the availability of clean water.

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From the infrastructure side, our main attention is ensuring the readiness of water resource infrastructure.

"From the infrastructure side, our main attention is ensuring the readiness of water resource infrastructure," AHY stated. He emphasized the critical importance of guaranteeing sufficient clean water supplies through dams and reservoirs, which not only meet community needs but also support irrigation systems. Maintaining robust irrigation is seen as vital for national agricultural productivity amidst the threat of a prolonged dry spell.

While current national water balance and food stock reports from the Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Agriculture indicate sufficient reserves, the government remains vigilant. AHY stressed the need for continuous preparedness, stating, "We must prepare ourselves as best as possible so that El Nino coinciding with the dry season does not present significant problems for our people, including disrupting the food and overall economy sectors."

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We must prepare ourselves as best as possible so that El Nino coinciding with the dry season does not present significant problems for our people, including disrupting the food and overall economy sectors.