Cisarua, W. Java. The Agriculture Ministry plans to convert land devastated by a deadly landslide in Cisarua, West Bandung Regency, into plantation areas as part of efforts to stabilize the terrain and reduce future disaster risks, Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said on Wednesday.

Speaking during a visit to the disaster-hit area, Amran said funding for the land restructuring program has already been secured. "We are waiting for proposals from the regent and the governor. Once those are submitted, we will move immediately,” Amran told reporters at the site.

The landslide, which buried three villages in Pasirlangu village, occurred in an area previously used for horticultural farming. According to Amran, the existing land use contributed to the instability of the slopes, which have gradients ranging from 20 to 45 degrees.

“Horticultural crops planted on slopes with inclines of 20 to 45 degrees carry a very high risk of erosion and landslides,” he said.

Under the new plan, the government will replace horticultural crops with plantation commodities such as coconut, coffee, and avocado. These plants have deeper and stronger root systems, which Amran said would help bind the soil and improve slope stability.

The Cisarua landslide occurred in the early hours of Jan. 24. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities racing against time to locate dozens of missing residents

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said on Tuesday night that 34 bodies had been identified so far, while around 80 people remain missing. The National Police have received 50 body bags in anticipation of further recoveries.

Basarnas head Mohammad Syafii said rescue teams continue to face difficult conditions, including unstable soil and challenging terrain, as they search through the debris.

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