Jakarta, April 20 -- Indonesia has earmarked about Rp5 trillion (US$282 million) to expand irrigation and distribute drought-resistant seeds, as authorities brace for potential crop losses linked to the El Nino weather pattern, the agriculture minister said Monday.

"We are increasing the irrigation budget by more than Rp3 trillion (US$169.5 million)," Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said, outlining efforts to shield food production from a prolonged dry season expected in several regions.

The policy is designed to maintain stable agricultural output as drought risks rise, with officials warning that erratic rainfall could disrupt planting cycles and reduce yields if left unaddressed.

More than Rp3 trillion of the total allocati...