Jakarta – The ministry of agriculture has established a special task force to deal with the impacts of extreme dry season caused by El Nino phenomenon in each region across Indonesia.

Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said on Monday, 22 May 2023, the task forces will make it easier for his ministry to coordinate all necessary efforts with all regions in anticipating or tackling the problems caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

Based on information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Board (BMKG), the El Nino phenomenon is predicted to start hitting Indonesia in June and getting more intense in August this year.

According to the minister, it is important to set up the task forces in every region as each region needs different approaches in tackling the El Nino-related problems.

The regions are categorized as green ones, which are relatively not affected by the El Nino impacts so that there will be no impact to their food production, and as yellow and red ones, which need further endeavors to tackle the problems.

He said that in dealing with the El Nino phenomenon, each of the regional governments must be observant to see what is needed by their respective regions to anticipate or later tackle the problems caused by the natural phenomenon.

“I ask for the establishment of task force in each region. We have to sit together to talk about the condition facing us. We need to discuss a wide range of issues, from mapping of regions, institutional concepts, up to action plans,” Minister Syahrul said in Jakarta on Monday, 22 May 2023.

Syahrul said that water management for agricultural activities is crucial in dealing with the extreme dry season caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

“Therefore, we ask each region to store water that can be used later. When the extreme dry season causes shortage of water, then they can use their water reserves for cultivation of all kinds of food crops in their respective regions,” the minister stated. (*)

Source: sawitku.id