Jakarta, IO – Workers unload rice from a truck that just arrived at the Cipinang Wholesale Rice Market, East Jakarta, Wednesday (6/9).
The El Nino phenomenon has significantly reduced rainfall in most parts of Indonesia. This has caused severe drought in some rice-producing centers on the islands of Java, parts of Sumatra and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
National Food Agency (Bapanas) chief Arief Prasetyo Adi said the peak of the drought would reach 60 to 80 percent in the September to October. During January to October period, rice production was 660,000 tons less compared to the same period in the previous year.
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Meanwhile, Agriculture Ministry estimates that the impact of El Nino this year can potentially lead to rice shortfall of between 380,000 to 1.2 million tonnes. The potential for a decrease in rice stock can occur due to production disruption.
(IO/Faisal Ramadhan)