Jokowi Gives 3 Instructions to Ministries on El Nino Mitigation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gave three instructions to his ministries and related agencies concerning water supplies during El Nino that struck Indonesia.

The three instructions were relayed by Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar after attending a limited meeting on El Nino mitigation led by the president on Tuesday.

"The three main points of his instructions are; first, conducting a comprehensive mapping of the issue at hand, second, focusing the strategy to ensure water availability, and third, to continuously check water supplies at the food production center regions," she explained. 

During the meeting, a number of ministries reported their progress on drought mitigation, one of which was the PUPR Ministry. According to PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, around 60 to 80 percent of water supplies in Indonesia are still effective. 

President Jokowi also instructed the ministries to anticipate the failed harvest potential due to the depleting irrigation water and to ensure water supplies for the public needs. 

"Ensure and anticipate rice stock, and mitigate wildfire, including handling the possible complaints," Jokowi said.

BMKG was also asked to relay the weather forecast in a clear manner. Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati mentioned that El Nino will remain at its peak until the end of October, while the transition phase will begin in November. "Meaning, the effects of El Nino will be swept away by rain so hopefully the drought will end gradually, mainly during November, she said.

Meanwhile, the Vice Minister of Agriculture Harvick Hasnul Qolbi mentioned that there is a decline in production, especially for the food plant affected by El Nino. To increase the amount of the government's rice reserve, the minister added, the government will import rice to maintain the market prices.

ANTARA

Editor's Choice: Indonesian Health Ministry Reminds Public of El Nino, Dengue Case Spike

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News