President Jokowi Emphasizes The Importance Of Adequacy Strategy For Water In Facing El Nino

Illustration: President Joko Widodo (central) accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno (left) chaired a limited meeting (ratas) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (27/9/2023). BETWEEN PHOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/nym/am.

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conveyed directions to relevant ministries and institutions regarding the importance of maintaining water supplies for the sustainability of national food security amidst the phenomenon of El Nino which is now hitting a number of regions.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya Bakar after attending a limited meeting agenda (ratas) mitigating the impact of the El Nino phenomenon led by President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 3.

"Essentially, the President's direction is three things, namely first, comprehensive mapping of problems, secondly focusing on the water availability strategy, and thirdly the food production center area to be checked continuously for water adequacy," said Siti Nurbaya, quoted by ANTARA.

In this agenda, a number of related ministries and institutions submitted the latest reports regarding mitigation measures on drought issues, including the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) which reported that 60 to 80 percent of Indonesia's water supply is currently still effective.

"Earlier, the Minister of PUPR reported that out of approximately 114 lakes, then 323 there, ramu, and reservoirs, it was approximately between 60 and 80 percent still effective. So it can still be resolved," said Minister Siti Nurbaya.

In a limited meeting, President Jokowi also directed that related ministries and institutions be aware of the potential for crop failure due to shrinking agricultural irrigation water.

Another thing that also needs to be mitigated is the supply of clean water for the needs of the community which must always be met.

"Then the rice must remain and anticipate, and deal with the problem of forest and land fires, including overcoming various complaints that exist and must be addressed," he said.

To the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), continued Siti, President Jokowi requested that weather forecasts need to be conveyed clearly to the public.

"Then the President asked the BMKG to convey the weather forecast and projection in the future," said the Minister of Environment and Forestry.