JOKOWI URGES CLOSER COOPERATION TO TACKLE INFLATION AMID CLIMATE CONCERNS

JAKARTA, June 14 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Friday urged for closer cooperation between central and regional governments to tackle inflation amid global climate concerns over rising temperatures and their impact on food security.

Widodo, also known as Jokowi, highlighted the United Nations’ warnings about climate change and stressed the urgency of addressing severe heatwaves.

“In India, temperatures have reached 50 degrees Celsius, and in Myanmar, it’s 45.8 degrees Celsius – an intense heatwave.

“While people can seek shelter indoors to escape the heat, the impact on food security is a major concern,” he said at the National Coordination Meeting for Inflation Control at the State Palace here.

Jokowi also underscored the importance of proactive measures to address challenges posed by rising temperatures and potential droughts, particularly in safeguarding national food production.

“An estimated 50 million farmers could face water shortages, leading to food scarcity and ultimately, inflation,” he warned.

Over the past three months, he directed ministries to collaborate with the Armed Forces to install water pumps in various regions to support irrigation and ensure farmers have adequate water for their fields.

“We might install around 20,000 pumps in areas that primarily produce rice to irrigate the fields,” he added.

Jokowi also stressed the need to modernise agriculture with smart technology and urged local governments to encourage investment in processing industries to boost the value of agricultural output and establish an integrated distribution system.

-- BERNAMA