RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has assured the public that national food supplies remain secure despite forecasts of a prolonged El Nino beginning in April 2026.

During a visit to Bulog’s Banjar Kemantren warehouse in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Sunday, April 19, Minister Amran highlighted that rice stocks currently stand at 4.9 million tons, enough to cover national consumption for 11 months.

He added that the figure is expected to surpass five million tons by midweek, marking the highest rice reserve in Indonesia’s history. “El Nino Godzilla is predicted to last six months, but our rice stock today is sufficient for nearly a year. It’s safe,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Beyond rice, Minister Amran noted additional reserves: 12.5 million tons from the food and beverage industry and 11 million tons from standing crops. Combined, national food availability reaches approximately 28 million tons.

The minister called on the public to help verify food data to strengthen confidence in government measures. He also outlined strategies to mitigate the impact of a prolonged dry season, including water pumping, improved distribution systems, and reinforcement of irrigation networks in affected regions.

The minister further emphasized that fertilizer supplies are stable, with prices reduced by 20 percent to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity. “This ensures farmers can continue producing and helps maintain food security,” he concluded. ***