Indonesia Agriculture Ministry Deploys 56,000 Pumps to Avert Drought

The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture is preparing 56,000 water‑pump units for the 2026 fiscal year to mitigate the impact of the annual dry season that typically runs from August to October. Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said the pumps are the fastest way to ensure rice fields receive water despite reduced rainfall, noting that without such "pompanisasi" the country could face a food‑security crisis.

About 11,000 pumps have already been distributed, with another 20,000 pending delivery to drought‑prone regions that still have surface‑water sources such as rivers, reservoirs and irrigation channels. The programme is coordinated with the Ministry of Public Works and includes broader irrigation projects such as embankments, pump stations, and new reservoirs, part of a long‑term effort to sustain national food self‑sufficiency amid climate‑related challenges like El Niño.

Director‑General Andi Nur Alam Syah highlighted that the rapid, targeted deployment of pumps, combined with modern agricultural equipment, aims to keep rice production stable and protect the government's swasembada (self‑sufficiency) target.