JAKARTA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture said Friday it is expanding the cultivation of drought-resistant, high-protein forage crops to secure livestock feed amid El Nino-induced pasture shortages.
Agung Suganda, the ministry's director general of livestock and animal health, said the ministry has been promoting drought-tolerant legumes and high-protein elephant grass varieties that can withstand prolonged dry conditions.
He said the move is intended to ensure a stable supply of livestock feed while reducing farmers' reliance on natural forage, which often becomes scarce during extended dry seasons.
In addition, the ministry is also promoting the preservation of forage through fermentation and drying so it can be stored and used during feed shortages. ■