Indonesia Speeds Rice Planting to Counter El Nino Risks
Indonesian authorities are urging farmers to shorten fallow periods and use drought-resistant seeds as a severe El Nino threatens food supplies. The agriculture ministry expects a 0.35 percent drop in rice output through July as a prolonged dry season disrupts traditional seasonal cycles.
Indonesian rice farmer Teguh Basuki is racing to plant crops in Cirebon as Indonesia accelerates agricultural schedules to mitigate food supply risks from a severe El Nino. The government is urging farmers to replant fields within 14 days of harvest to counter a projected 0.35% drop in output. This shift aims to secure staples for millions as extreme dry spells threaten the region's agricultural productivity.
