Indonesia's Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman orders national irrigation upgrades ahead of El Niño

Indonesia’s Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, has directed the rapid strengthening of national irrigation infrastructure to counter the expected drought conditions from the upcoming El Niño phenomenon. The government plan includes fast‑tracking rehabilitation of irrigation networks, optimizing pump systems, and installing both shallow and deep wells in regions identified as drought‑prone.

The minister also urged local governments to map areas at risk of water scarcity so that targeted interventions can keep crop production stable despite an extended dry season. These measures aim to protect the country’s food supply and reduce potential losses for farmers.