Jakarta, July 13 -- Indonesia should strengthen reserves of all key food commodities, not just rice, to prepare for a dry season intensified by El Nino, the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) said.

"The government should not simply feel secure because rice stocks are relatively strong," Indef economist M. Rizal Taufikurahman said on Monday.

He said authorities should safeguard food production, distribution and reserves to mitigate El Nino-related risks.

The government should identify drought-prone production areas, accelerate irrigation projects, expand pumping capacity, optimize reservoirs and adjust planting schedules, he said.

Strengthening agricultural production is essential to improving Indonesia's overal...