Government on Godzilla El Nino Alert, Food Reserves Strengthened

JAKARTA - The government has increased vigilance against the potential of extreme El Nino phenomena called "Godzilla El Nino" and is expected to be strengthened by a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) starting April 2026. The combination of these two phenomena has the potential to trigger a longer and drier dry season in Indonesia.

Anticipating these impacts, the government ensures that the resilience of the Government Food Reserve (CPP) stock continues to be strengthened, especially through the absorption of domestic production so that food interventions can be carried out immediately when weather anomalies occur.

Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), I Gusti Ketut Astawa, emphasized that the government had anticipated the potential risks.

"The prediction of Godzilla El Nino has become a concern for the government. We ensure that the resilience of CPP stocks continues to be strengthened so that when needed, it can be immediately distributed to help the community," he said in an official statement, Thursday, March 26.

Based on the report as of March 25, 2026, strategic staple food stocks managed by food SOEs such as Perum Bulog and ID FOOD are still in adequate condition. Rice commodities are the largest contributor with a stock of 4.08 million tons, an increase of 77.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Most of the supply comes from domestic production, with the realization of rice equivalent absorption since the beginning of 2026 reaching 1.24 million tons. In addition to rice, the stock of CPP corn was recorded at around 144,000 tons, which was also dominated by the absorption of domestic production.

For other commodities, the stock of cooking oil reached 95,000 kiloliters, 50,000 tons of consumer sugar, 11,000 tons of beef/buffalo, 39 tons of chicken meat, and 62 tons of chicken eggs. All of them continue to be strengthened to maintain the stability of supply and prices in the midst of potential climate disruption.

Separately, the Head of Bapanas who is also the Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the importance of food independence in the midst of global crisis threats.

"The world is facing a serious threat of a food crisis. Therefore, every country must strengthen its food security and must not depend on other countries. We should not be afraid," he said.

He added that strengthening domestic production is the key to maintaining national food security. According to him, a country that is able to produce its own food will be more resistant to global pressure.

"The safest is a country that can produce its own food. That's why we have to strengthen domestic production. We have to be optimistic," he said.

The CPP stock was then distributed through various food intervention programs, such as rice and cooking oil assistance which had been rolled back since March. As of March 25, 2026, the realization of distribution had reached 378,666 recipients in 24 provinces.

In addition, the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program recorded the distribution of rice reaching 43,170 tons throughout March, as well as the implementation of the Cheap Food Movement (GPM) in various regions.

Meanwhile, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) explained that the term "Godzilla El Nino" is used to describe the potential of a very strong El Nino, which can cause conditions of minimal clouds and rainfall in Indonesia.

However, the impact is expected to be uneven, with the potential for drought in the southern region and the risk of flooding in the northeast region such as Sulawesi, Halmahera, and Maluku.