Indonesia Tackles 294 Drought Hotspots to Protect Food Security

Indonesia is intensifying efforts across 294 drought-affected areas nationwide to mitigate impacts on food security. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) are collaborating to manage water resources and reduce agricultural production losses. According to BMKG forecasts, many regions in Indonesia are expected to experience below-average rainfall, with drought risks heightened in provinces such as East Java, West Java, Central Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. These areas are crucial for Indonesia's rice production and are also significant producers of vegetables and other agricultural commodities, raising concerns about the impact on food supply. The BNPB is implementing measures including providing water supply assistance to drought-stricken areas, monitoring water levels in reservoirs and dams, and maintaining irrigation systems. In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, efforts are also underway to encourage the cultivation of drought-resistant crops and provide technical guidance to farmers. With a population of approximately 270 million, maintaining food self-sufficiency is a critical national issue for Indonesia. Past instances of crop damage due to drought have led to food price hikes and supply shortages. The government aims to minimize the impact on public life by taking early and comprehensive measures this time.