FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - INDONESIA* (4 September)

INDONESIA* (4 September)

The country is in the middle of its dry season, but unusually abundant rains in early August resulted in floods and landslides, killing at least 60 people and leaving about 800 missing in the island of Nias, located about 1 325 km northwest of Jakarta. Five villages have been swept away and hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed.

Although early rainfall in July was beneficial for planting of the second rice crop in the main rice producing island of Java, there is uncertainty as to whether the development of the crop would be affected by the floods. The main rice crop will be planted from November to January to coincide with the north-east monsoon. Paddy production in year 2001 is provisionally forecast at about 50.2 million tonnes (31.6 million tonnes in milled rice equivalent), which compares with last year�s output of 51.9 million tonnes (32.7 million tonnes in milled rice equivalent). Coarse grain production, principally maize, is expected to be similar from the 9.2 million tonnes harvested last year, which was average.

Despite a satisfactory overall food situation, persistent conflicts and population displacements continue to cause food insecurity in the affected areas.