JAKARTA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is ramping up measures to protect food production from an expected El Nino-driven drought, with authorities forecasting the dry season will peak in August, the agricultural ministry said on Wednesday.
Agriculture ministry secretary-general Suwandi said authorities are coordinating with regional governments to implement early-warning systems and drought mitigation measures, including irrigation network repairs, water resource mapping, pump deployment, and weather modification operations.
The government plans to install pumps capable of irrigating an additional 1 million hectares of farmland by the end of July, bringing total irrigated coverage to around 3 million hectares nationwide, while encouraging farmers to use drought-tolerant crop varieties, adjust planting schedules and join agricultural insurance programs.
Indonesia has also built up rice reserves, with stocks held by the state logistics agency, Bulog, reaching a record 5.3 million tonnes. Enditem
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