Drought in Indonesia impacts agriculture and livestock feed

Severe drought conditions in Indonesia are impacting both agricultural production and livestock management in several regions. In Garut, West Java, the dry season has caused rice crops to fail, leaving farmers unable to harvest grains. Consequently, livestock breeders are repurposing the dead rice plants as animal feed for cattle and sheep. Some farmers have reported having to travel to neighboring Tasikmalaya to find green forage due to the scarcity of local grass.

In Gorontalo, the prolonged dry season is threatening to delay the rice planting season. In areas such as Moodu, irrigation sources like the Bolango River have receded significantly, leaving the soil too dry for planting. Farmers who typically begin planting in September or October are facing delays, with some regions not expecting rainfall until mid-November or late December. This disruption to the planting schedule poses a significant challenge to local food production cycles.