Indonesia, Jan. 28 -- Indonesia plans to change cropping patterns in landslide-prone areas of Cisarua in West Java, replacing horticultural crops with deep-rooted plantation plants to reduce disaster risks, the agriculture minister said on Wednesday.

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said steep slopes would be replanted with crops such as coconut, coffee and avocado, which have stronger root systems and can better stabilize soil.

"We will replace horticultural crops on steep land with plantation crops. The budget is ready, we are waiting for proposals from the district head and the governor, and we will move quickly," Sulaiman said during a visit to the landslide site in Cisarua, West Bandung District.

He said the changes were c...