April 20, 2026 | 07:19 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The prolonged dry season and extreme temperatures, known as “El Nino Godzilla,” are expected to hit Indonesia starting in April 2026. Indonesian Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has assured that national food stocks are in a safe condition.
Amran said the El Nino Godzilla phenomenon is predicted to affect Indonesia for six months. However, he urged the public not to worry about food availability.
“Our rice stock currently stands at 4.9 million tons, which is predicted to meet needs for the next 11 months. It is safe,” Amran said during a visit to the Bulog Banjar Kemantren Warehouse in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
He added that food availability for the hotel, restaurant, and café (horeka) industry is recorded at 12.5 million tons. Meanwhile, standing crop production reaches 11 million tons.
Amran also stated that rice stocks are expected to reach 5 million tons by the end of this month. This means total national food availability will reach 28 million tons, sufficient to face the impact of extreme weather.
He ensured that the government has anticipated the impact of the El Nino Godzilla phenomenon through various strategies, including installing water pumps for agricultural land and providing education to farmers.
In the agricultural support sector, Amran confirmed that the government has prepared a special fuel policy for farmers amounting to 1 million kiloliters, along with fertilizer supplies since the beginning of this year. Fertilizer prices have also reportedly decreased by up to 20 percent.
“We have prepared fertilizers since January, and increased the volume,” he said.
Therefore, Amran expressed optimism that Indonesia will be able to face the extreme heat expected in the coming months, especially as the government continues to support farmers in boosting production.
Read: Jakarta Governor Reminds Officials of El Nino's Economic Impact
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