Indonesia's president, Joko Widodo, has asked the military for help in planting rice because of a serious drought caused by the El NiΓ±o weather pattern. The long period of dry weather has led to a decrease in rice production, which means that the prices of rice are going up and there is a risk to the country's food supply. President Widodo has asked army officers to make use of recent rain in some areas and help with the planting. Usually, rice is planted in October, but this year it has been delayed. The president made a video on YouTube where he visited central Java and encouraged the military to come forward and help the farmers with planting. In the past, the involvement of the armed forces has helped Indonesia produce enough food for itself, according to Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman. The recent agreement between the agriculture ministry and the Indonesian army means that military personnel will help with farming and use army-owned land that is not being used for rice planting. The agriculture ministry will provide the seedlings and machinery.
Original news source: Indonesia asks military to help farmers plant rice (BBC)
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– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to imagine that they are government officials in Indonesia. In groups, have them discuss and make predictions about the possible consequences of the drought on the country's economy, food supply, and population. Each group can then present their predictions to the class and discuss the likelihood of each scenario.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Indonesia's president has asked the military for help in planting rice because of a serious drought caused by the El NiΓ±o weather pattern.
The El NiΓ±o weather pattern has caused a serious drought in Indonesia.
The drought has led to a decrease in rice production in Indonesia.
The decrease in rice production caused by the drought has led to an increase in rice prices in Indonesia.
President Widodo asked army officers to make use of recent rain in some areas and help with planting rice.
Rice is usually planted in October in Indonesia.
In the video, President Widodo visited central Java and encouraged the military to come forward and help the farmers with planting.
In the past, the involvement of the armed forces has helped Indonesia produce enough food for itself.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Indonesia's , Joko Widodo, has the military for help in planting rice because of a serious drought caused by the El NiΓ±o pattern. The long period of dry weather has led to a decrease in rice production, which means that the of rice are going up and there is a risk to the country's food . Widodo has asked army officers to make use of rain in some and help with the planting. Usually, rice is planted in October, but this year it has been delayed. The president made a video on YouTube where he visited central Java and the military to come forward and help the farmers with planting. In the past, the of the armed forces has Indonesia produce enough food for itself, according to Agriculture Minister Sulaiman. The recent between the agriculture and the Indonesian army means that military personnel will help with and use army-owned land that is not being used for rice planting. The agriculture ministry will the seedlings and machinery.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think about President Widodo asking the military for help in planting rice?
2. How would you feel if there was a serious drought in your country?
3. Do you think it's a good idea for the military to help with farming? Why or why not?
4. What is the El NiΓ±o weather pattern?
5. How do you think the decrease in rice production will affect the country's food supply?
6. Do you like rice? Why or why not?
7. What do you think about President Widodo using YouTube to communicate with the public?
8. How do you think the recent rain in some areas will help with planting rice?
9. What is the role of the agriculture ministry in this situation?
10. How do you think the involvement of the armed forces can help Indonesia produce enough food for itself?
11. Do you think it's important for a country to be self-sufficient in food production? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the increase in rice prices will affect people's daily lives?
13. Have you ever experienced a drought in your country? How did it affect you?
14. What do you think about using army-owned land for rice planting?
15. How do you think the military personnel will benefit from helping with farming?
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