Corn farmers in Indonesia report higher yields amid El Niño risks

In observance of National Farmers Day, corn farmers in Lampung Tengah, Pesawaran, Wonogiri, and Tuban have reported harvest yields approximately 10-15 percent higher than average. This increase was achieved through the use of DEKALB DK79C seeds in collaboration with Bayer Indonesia.

The improved productivity comes at a critical time as the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warns of a strong El Niño phenomenon that could lead to prolonged dry seasons through October 2026. Such weather variability poses risks to strategic commodities like corn, which is essential for both food security and the animal feed industry.

The Indonesian government has set a target to produce approximately 18 million tons of dried corn kernels in 2026 to strengthen national food self-sufficiency.