To achieve its goals, the government has identified eight provinces where 3.83 million hectares of paddy fields have been designated as LSD. These provinces include West Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, and West Nusa Tenggara. Additionally, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs plans to add 2.75 million hectares of LSD across 12 other provinces, bringing the total to 6.58 million hectares.

Nusron also highlighted that LP2B status could be extended to rainfed paddy fields, provided they are used for crops with low water consumption, such as cassava, corn, or sugarcane. This flexibility allows the government to maximize the use of available agricultural land while maintaining productivity.

The government’s focus on food self-sufficiency comes amid growing concerns over food security and the need to reduce reliance on imports. By designating large swathes of land as LP2B, the administration aims to boost domestic rice production and ensure a stable food supply for the nation’s growing population.

However, the ambitious plan has raised questions about land availability and potential conflicts with other development projects. Nusron assured that the government is committed to balancing agricultural needs with industrial and residential demands, ensuring that land use is optimized for the country’s long-term development.

As Indonesia moves forward with these priority programs, the success of the initiatives will depend on effective implementation and coordination among various government agencies. The designation of LSD and LP2B lands marks a significant step toward achieving food self-sufficiency and sustainable land use, but challenges remain in ensuring that these policies deliver their intended benefits without disrupting other sectors of the economy. (Uki Ruknuddin)

YouTube player