Weather anomaly decreases melon production in Indonesia

The weather anomaly in Indonesia is projected to bring down the national production output of melon. The long drought that lasted across Indonesia until mid-February, followed by a sudden heavy rainfall have destroyed melon crops in the major producing regions in the country. The farmers estimated that for the first and second quarter of 2020, the harvest volume will be significantly lower (around 30-40%) compared to the same period in the previous year, and there is a concern that this situation will also cause the price of this commodity to go up on a farmgate level. As a solution to avoid the same issue in the future, the farmers are currently experimenting with semi green-house system plantation method, by creating a retractable roofing system to protect the crops when the rainfall is at its highest.