inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Agriculture is optimistic that national rice production and availability will remain stable in the face of the potential El Niño, which is predicted to trigger extreme drought in the middle of this year.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono stated that the government has taken anticipatory measures since the beginning of the year following early warnings from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

"Currently, we are focused on ensuring production does not decline," Sudaryono emphasized on Tuesday (5/26/2026). 

He explained that anticipatory measures include pumping, piping, and the construction of drilled wells to ensure land can remain arable during the dry season.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture is also encouraging an increase in the cropping index to optimize the frequency of planting and harvesting throughout the year. 

According to Sudaryono, the government is striving to increase the cropping index to approach two plantings and two harvests per year, or IP200.

He stated that the current average national harvest frequency is still below two harvests per year and needs to be continuously improved.

Moreover, the government is also preparing anticipatory measures to face the worst-case scenario by ensuring the security of national rice reserves.

Sudaryono stated that rice stocks in Bulog's warehouses currently reach approximately 5.3 million tons, plus potential production or standing crops of nearly 12 million tons, and rice stocks among the public of approximately 12 million tons.

"So, the public's stocks are around 28 million tons. If divided by monthly consumption, our stock is sufficient for approximately 10.8 months, or almost 11 months," he said.

He is optimistic that the duration of El Niño, which is expected to last up to six months, can still be anticipated with available food reserves. 

"So far, our food supplies, especially rice, are sufficient to meet the public's needs," Sudaryono added.

(ad/ndt/pr/rs)