Jakarta, Aug. 13 -- There is no food security without water. Before seeds are planted, fertilizer applied or crops harvested, agricultural success is first determined by a factor that is often overlooked: reliable water supplies.

As Indonesia faces the prospect of El Nino lasting into early 2027, what is being tested is not only the agricultural sector, but the country's ability to protect a foundation of food security.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) Chief Teuku Faisal Fathani has warned that El Nino could intensify and bring a drier, longer dry season across parts of Indonesia. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole could further amplify the rainfall deficit from September through December 2026.

As of mid-...