The West Sulawesi Provincial Government is preparing various alternatives to anticipate drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon, one of which involves strengthening agricultural infrastructure. Penjabat Gubernur Sulbar Zudan Arif Fakrulloh stated during his visit to Batupanga Daala Village in Luyo Sub-district, Polewali Mandar, that they aim to develop agricultural infrastructure to ensure consistent water availability throughout the year. This visit aimed to assess the readiness of the infrastructure and provide guidance to the Department of Plantations and the Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Agriculture (DTPHP) of West Sulawesi.
Zudan emphasized the need to optimize the efforts of the Department of Plantations and DTPHP Sulbar, focusing on well-planned execution, detailed budgeting, and effective on-site monitoring and control. Enhancing the agricultural sector is viewed as a means to boost the economic growth of Sulbar, as over half of its population relies on agriculture, including plantations and fisheries. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh also encouraged local communities to remain consistent in safeguarding food supplies and avoiding wastefulness in the face of the El Nino-induced drought.
El Nino, characterized by above-normal sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean, leads to increased cloud formation and reduced rainfall in Indonesia, triggering drought conditions. By fortifying agricultural practices, the province aims to alleviate the impact of El Nino and promote more robust economic growth in the region.
