Indonesia Encourages Adaptive Rice Varieties Ahead of Early Dry Season

Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture is urging farmers to adopt adaptive rice varieties and improve water management as forecasts point to an early arrival of the 2026 dry season. The guidance follows warnings that drought risks could intensify across several regions if preventive measures are not taken promptly. Central and regional authorities are being asked to coordinate planning, strengthen early warning systems, and adjust planting schedules to safeguard national rice production and food security.

Government directives to anticipate drought risks

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has instructed regional governments to implement immediate anticipatory steps, including mapping drought-prone areas and reinforcing monitoring and early warning mechanisms. These measures are intended to reduce the impact of reduced rainfall on agricultural land and to support timely decision-making by farmers.

“Farmers need to utilize early-maturing and drought-resistant varieties, such as Inpago 4-13, Inpari 38-46, Situbagendit, Situpatenggang, Padjadjaran, Cakrabuana, or other similar varieties, to maintain production levels during the dry season,” — Andi Amran Sulaiman, Agriculture Minister, Ministry of Agriculture

The ministry is also promoting optimised water management, including the use of irrigation networks, water pumps and piping systems. Accelerating planting schedules in key rice-producing areas is being encouraged to ensure crops can be harvested before water availability declines.

Early dry season forecast across multiple regions

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has forecast that the dry season will begin earlier than usual in parts of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara, as well as southern and eastern Kalimantan, most of Sulawesi, Maluku and parts of Papua. According to the ministry, these conditions could significantly raise drought risks if mitigation efforts are delayed.

The emphasis on early warning and preparedness aligns with broader efforts to strengthen national resilience, including initiatives around digital resilience in public systems and data-driven decision-making across government.

Adaptive varieties as a technological strategy

Fadjry Djufry, head of the Agricultural Assembly and Modernization Agency (BRMP) at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the government has developed a range of superior rice varieties designed to perform under limited water conditions. These varieties are intended to maintain yields while offering relatively short harvest cycles.

“We are encouraging the wider adoption of these drought-resistant superior varieties, especially in drought-prone areas and rain-fed swamplands, to ensure national rice production remains stable and to strengthen food security,” — Fadjry Djufry, Head, Agricultural Assembly and Modernization Agency (BRMP), Ministry of Agriculture

According to the ministry, promoting adaptive crop technologies is a core part of strengthening the resilience of rice production systems amid shifting climate patterns. This approach reflects a broader focus on preparedness and systems resilience seen in other policy areas, including national efforts to enhance cyber resilience and inter-agency coordination.

Through the BRMP, the Ministry of Agriculture continues to advance technological innovation and appropriate farming techniques to help farmers adapt to climate change. The full report was published by ANTARA News.