Sri Mulyani Warns Against La Nina Impact on Food Sector

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has warned the country against the impact of La Nina, which was forecasted to occur until late 2020, on the food and beverage industry.

Sri Mulyani said the industry must anticipate the impact of the climate change despite its relatively-flourishing business amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“[This] industry has recorded gains since the COVID-19 [pandemic]. But this must be secured as we brace for climate change and La Nina, with rainfall intensity up by 20-40 percent,” Sri Mulyani said in the Capital Market Summit and Expo aired virtually on Monday, October 19, 2020.

Sri Mulyani said food security during the pandemic remained pivotal as people needed to meet their consumption needs, and that the prospect of the industry would continue to grow post-pandemic.  

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecasted the peak of the rainy season would vary in regions. Sumatera is predicted to face La Nina in October and November, while the rainy season would peak in November 2020.

Java is projected to experience La Nina in October and November 2020 and the rainy season would climax in February 2021. Kalimantan, meanwhile, is expected to encounter La Nina in October 2020 and the peak of the rainy season would begin in December 2020-January 2021.

La Nina is expected to occur in Sulawesi and Maluku in November and October 2020, respectively, while rainy season will possibly peak in January-April 2021 for Sulawesi and January 2021 for Maluku.

La Nina, however, is possibly absent in Bali-Nusa Tenggara and Papua, while rainy season in both regions is expected to occur in February 2021 and December 2020, respectively.

Read: Minister Sri Mulyani Ignites Economic Optimism Ahead of 2021 

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA