Minister Of Agriculture Amran Urges Farmers On The Island Of Java To Beware Of Drought

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman appealed to all farmers on the island of Java to be aware of drought triggered by the dry season along with the natural phenomenon of El Nino.

"In June, Java Island has entered the dry season, which coincides with El Nino, of course, this could trigger a drought that would have a major impact on food production," Amran said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 4.

According to Amran, Java Island is the first area to be affected by the dry season and El Nino is in accordance with weather forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

So, both the government, farmers, communities and stakeholders must be aware of the occurrence of drought early on. If the dry season is added to El Nino, then the drought could have a big impact.

In addition, the most worrying impact is that if drought strikes all areas on the island of Java, food production will certainly decrease, supplies will run low and trigger price increases.

For this reason, it is necessary to cooperate with all parties to anticipate so that the impact of drought on agricultural activities can be suppressed so that production and food supplies are maintained.

His party also appreciated the Food Security Program initiated by KSAD Maruli Simanjuntak in Neglasari Village.

Where the location for implementing the program was originally a sleeping ground, a bush and minimal water supply.

However, with the efforts of high-ranking officers in the Indonesian Army, from the rank of colonel to four-star generals, they succeeded in creating a sustainable food security program in Sukabumi Regency and being able to change land that did not produce to be productive at all plus the location of the land was in a tough field.

"The Food Security Program through agricultural innovation and creativity of Indonesian Army colleagues is a pilot project in other areas so that food production is maintained throughout the year," he added.

Amran said that agricultural innovation must of course be imitated so that farmers can continue to produce throughout the year.

The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture is certainly ready to provide support and assistance to farmers or farmer groups so that food production continues to increase so that Indonesia does not experience a food crisis due to the climate change crisis that occurs throughout the country.