The main threat is that prolonged dry weather disrupts agricultural crops, thereby causing food shortages and inflationary pressures. Consequently, regional governments in Indonesia have begun preparing anticipatory measures to maintain food security. This is particularly important for regions whose economies are highly dependent on agriculture.
In early June 2026, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) released a report projecting declines in rice production across several regions. Aside from a reduction in harvest area, a strong El Niño could place significant further pressure on output later this year. As is widely known, rice is a crucial staple food across Indonesia with the (near) poor spending a big portion of their disposable incomes on rice.
One of the regions eager to take responsive steps in the face of this looming threat is Sumedang, West Java. The Regent of Sumedang, Dony Ahmad Munir, emphasized the importance of proactive measures to prevent a drop in agricultural production, which serves as a primary pillar of the local economy.
To mitigate these risks, the Sumedang Regency is encouraging intensive coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Public Works, the River Basin Organizations (BWS), farmers’ groups, and other strategic stakeholders.
Several technical strategies are already being implemented on the ground. These include optimizing the use of available water sources, repairing retention basins, normalizing irrigation networks, accelerating agricultural infrastructure projects, and deploying water pumps in productive areas located near surface water sources.
Meanwhile, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government has already prepared mitigation steps to cushion the agricultural and horticultural sectors from the looming shadow of El Niño. The Head of the East Kalimantan Food, Food Crops, and Horticulture Department, Fahmi Himawan, stated that parts of Indonesia are entering a dry season driven by El Niño, with the peak predicted to occur this coming August.
Currently, weather conditions in East Kalimantan remain relatively favorable for farming. The lingering wet conditions are advantageous for farmers in both the food crop and horticulture sectors, offering a window to extend planting activities by utilizing the remaining rainfall. Because of this, Himawan urges local farmers to “prepare the umbrella before it rains” by collecting rainwater to serve as a reserve ahead of the extended dry spell.
