Makassar, S. Sulawesi (ANTARA) – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said Indonesia is preparing to face the impacts of El Niño by increasing agricultural pumping to maintain the stability of national food production.Despite the impacts of extreme heat that may affect agricultural production, he claimed the government has experience in dealing with similar conditions—such as those that occurred in 2015, 2023, and 2024.”(The possibility of a) 'Godzilla' El Niño is said to cause six months of drought. However, it looks like the 2015 El Niño was worse. We have experience in managing it,” Amran said in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday.Strategic steps to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of El Niño include strengthening production systems, from increasing pumping to optimizing swampland.The Agriculture Ministry will optimize the operation of 80,158 water pumps distributed in 2025 to farmer groups to address potential drought caused by extreme El Niño starting in April 2026.According to Amran, the government will immediately add approximately 40,000 water pumps to anticipate the potential for a prolonged drought this year and maintain a stable national agricultural water supply for farmers.”So, there is no need to worry about El Niño because our defenses are strong. We already have pumping, irrigation, and we are cultivating the swampy land that we previously planted,” he explained.He urged the public not to worry about the current extreme weather conditions, as the government has prepared various measurable mitigation measures.Furthermore, he emphasized that national food security is currently in a very strong position, supported by abundant rice stocks.Government rice stocks stored in the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) warehouses reached an all-time high of 4.5 million tons in early April 2026.In addition to stocks in government warehouses, Minister Amran highlighted food availability across other sectors and ongoing production potential.The government recorded food availability for the hotel, restaurant, and cafe/catering sector at 12.5 million tons, while standing crops ready for harvest reached 11 million tons.With this total availability, he estimated that national food needs could be met for a long period, even beyond the peak drought period.”This means food stocks for the people are secure for the next 11 months,” Amran emphasized.