Indonesia summons army to help farmers plant rice

JAKARTA: Responding to a severe drought that has diminished rice output in Indonesia, the country's military has been mobilized to assist farmers in planting crops.

The drought, exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon, has disrupted planting schedules, leading to a reduction in the production of this essential staple in Southeast Asia's most populous nation.

The increase in prices, heightened import demands, and potential threats to food security prompted President Joko Widodo to enlist the aid of military supervisory officers, known as Babinsa, in villages.

During a visit to Pekalongan regency in central Java, President Widodo urged the officers to leverage recent rainfall to encourage farmers to commence rice planting. The El Nino's impact, causing hotter and drier weather in Southeast Asia, has contributed to a global tightening of rice supplies.

This year, key export hubs in Asia have experienced price hikes of up to 45%, reaching their highest levels in 15 years, following export restrictions imposed by India, the world's leading rice supplier.

In Indonesia, the drought has resulted in a delay in planting for the 2024 harvest, with the country's output dropping from 31.53 million tons to 30.9 million metric tons this year.

Sugiono, a Babinsa officer participating in the initiative, informed President Widodo that he had undergone a month-long training program on rice planting to support local farmers, as captured in the presidential YouTube channel's video.