Indonesia races to plant rice early against risk of El Nino

In Indonesia's West Java province, rice farmer Teguh Basuki is altering his planting schedule, aiming to harvest early in anticipation of a severe El Nino and a longer dry spell in 2026. "Farming is about adapting and finding solutions – hopefully it works out," Teguh, 51, told Reuters, working his 5-hectare fields.

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Farming is about adapting and finding solutions – hopefully it works out.

Teguh is one of thousands of Indonesian farmers encouraged by the government to change their traditional farming practices. This initiative aims to protect food supplies in the densely populated region as dry weather disrupts crop planting across Asia. The El Nino weather pattern, expected to be stronger than usual, could further damage crops in the archipelago where rice is a staple for millions.

Seasonal cycles have long dictated planting and harvesting in areas like Cirebon, where Teguh farms. However, these rhythms are becoming unpredictable due to intensifying extreme weather. "We live from farming, so we have to adapt," Teguh stated, expressing determination despite the El Nino's anticipated strength.

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We live from farming, so we have to adapt.

The Indonesian government is actively promoting optimized irrigation and accelerated planting, urging farmers to replant two weeks after harvest instead of the usual 25-day preparation period. Ministry official Muhammad Agung Sunusi emphasized the need for local leaders to support irrigation network optimization and planting efforts. Weather data indicates a lack of rain in many parts of Java and other islands, with low expectations for June rainfall. Consequently, Indonesia's statistics bureau forecasts a slight drop in rice output from January to July compared to the previous year.

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We ask the governors, mayors, regents, and the ranks, please help to optimise our irrigation networks, planting on rice paddy fields.

However, not all farmers are adopting the accelerated planting strategy. Misti, a 62-year-old farmer from Cirebon, plans to skip the third harvest or plant alternative crops like mung beans, despite their lower profitability. "The heat is too high, and farmers worry the (rice) crop won’t make it to harvest," Misti explained, highlighting the pervasive concern among farmers about crop survival.

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The heat is too high, and farmers worry the (rice) crop won’t make it to harvest.