Minister Of Agriculture Asks North Sumatra Provincial Government To Maximize Efforts To Overcome El Nino's Threat

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo together with the Governor of North Sumatra after a coordination meeting to anticipate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, in Medan, Friday (ANTARA/Anggi Luthfi Panggabean)

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo asked the North Sumatra Provincial Government to maximize efforts to overcome the threat of extreme drought due to the El-Nino phenomenon.

Syahrul Limpo said that North Sumatra Province is one of several provinces prepared to meet food needs to anticipate the impact of El Nino.

"Sumut is one of the six national food buffer areas, so the anticipation must be maximized," said Syahrul Yasin Limpo after the meeting chaired a coordination meeting to anticipate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, in Medan as reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 4.

Based on the analysis of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Indonesia will experience the peak of El-Nino from August to the end of this year.

Therefore, Syahrul Limpo said that the impact of the El Nino phenomenon must be taken seriously by all local governments, not to affect their respective agricultural productivity.

"The President hopes that El Nino will be like anything but the condition of our food availability, especially our rice, must be guaranteed optimally. From the balance sheet, our availability is sufficient," said Syahrul Limpo.

He explained that the central government will prepare 500 thousand hectares of agricultural land to anticipate the prolonged dry impact caused by El Nino.

El Nino drought, and drought bring limited water, a heat that is enough to make productivity inevitably decrease. We will prepare 500 thousand hectares to anticipate El Nino," he said.

The Minister of Agriculture is optimistic that the North Sumatra Provincial Government and districts/cities can handle the El Nino phenomenon.

"I believe North Sumatra is one of the most powerful provinces to handle this. For this reason, we hope that the governor and certain regent appointed by the governor can prepare land for the national interest," he said.

Meanwhile, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi said his party was preparing several special areas to meet the needs of El Nino.

"We have anticipated this because there has been a warning, especially from the Ministry of Agriculture, the possibility of El Nino. There are regencies that we have prepared. Especially for rice are Sergai, Deliserdang and Langkat. For Dairi corn and Karo Land," he said.

Governor Edy also explained that in the area, it must complete a minimum of 100 thousand hectares to meet these needs.

"God willing, we will do this, the responsibility of North Sumatra on its functions and capabilities," said Edy Rahmayadi.