"All regions must identify areas into red, yellow, and green zones. Areas with abundant supply of water, identified as green zones, should be further supported," he remarked while opening the Coordination Meeting on El Niño Anticipation and Planting Acceleration as cited in Jakarta on Friday.
Furthermore, the minister remarked that the government will conduct interventions by handling irrigation and mechanization as well as prioritizing superior varieties.
Meanwhile, areas identified as red zones should be supported by planting varieties that do not require a lot of water while preparing them to become food barns.
He then cited an analysis conducted by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), saying that Indonesia is projected to experience the peak of El Niño from August to September.
The El Niño phenomenon poses weak- to moderate-intensity threats that may cause disruption to water supply, thereby leading to drought and a decline in food agricultural production activities.
In order to anticipate the threats, Minister Limpo revealed that the government has prepared six provinces to become main contributors to ensure the national food supply.
"The six provinces are West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Sumatra, South Sulawesi, and Lampung. I urge West Java to make all-out efforts to contribute to the national efforts to tackle El Niño threats in accordance with Mr President's directives," he stated.
The minister affirmed that all governments at the district, municipal, provincial, and central levels must work together to anticipate the phenomenon's detrimental effects. He also sought collective commitment to ensuring the effectiveness of all agendas and programs.
"Indeed, we should not become overconfident, but I am optimistic of us all being capable of securing food availability for the country's over 280 million population. Together, we can overcome the threats," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Ministry's Director General of Food Crops, Suwandi, explained that the ministry has prepared various measures to face potential long drought, including implementing the Planting Acceleration Movement in a minimum of one thousand hectares of land in the each of West Java's districts and cities.
"As a production center, West Java is expected to contribute to the national production," he remarked while accompanying Minister Limpo.
Related news: Prepare for strengthening El Nino impact, BMKG head warns
Related news: Bapanas to develop food early warning system to counter El Nino
Related news: BULOG has 750 thousand tons of rice to handle El Niño's impacts
Translator: Khuntum Khaira, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
