Indonesia targets 2026 food self-sufficiency amid drought and flood prevention efforts

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo expressed optimism that Indonesia will achieve its food self-sufficiency target by 2026, despite observing water shortages in several rice fields during inspections in Bekasi and Cirebon, West Java.

To support this goal, the Ministry of Public Works plans to prioritize drought management in national food granaries, specifically targeting regions in West Java, Central Java, and East Java. The Minister noted that field observations revealed some areas are experiencing more severe drought than internal ministry data suggested, prompting a call for more accurate data collection through local farmer groups.

In Cirebon, the Department of Public Works and Spatial Planning (DPUTR) is preparing for the upcoming rainy season by initiating river normalization projects. This effort is focused on the Mundu District to mitigate flooding risks in villages frequently affected by river overflows.