JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Indonesian government, under President Prabowo Subianto, has projected a need for 6.84 million hectares of land to support its priority programs, which include food self-sufficiency, downstream industrialization, and the construction of 3 million homes.

This announcement was made by Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid on March 20, 2025. The majority of the land, approximately 6.78 million hectares (99.12%), will be allocated to the food self-sufficiency program, while the remaining land will be used for downstream industrialization (35,000 hectares) and housing (25,200 hectares annually).

The food self-sufficiency program will rely on Sustainable Food Agriculture Land (LP2B), which is derived from Protected Paddy Fields (LSD). The government plans to designate a total of 6.58 million hectares of paddy fields as LSD to ensure rice self-sufficiency. This move aims to curb the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural uses, a pressing issue in Indonesia.

Nusron emphasized that the LP2B designation ensures that paddy fields cannot be repurposed for other uses. “Once designated as LP2B, the land cannot be altered for any other purpose, forever. Even until the end of the world, it cannot be changed,” he stated. This policy is part of the government’s broader strategy to secure long-term agricultural productivity and food security.

The LSD policy has already shown significant results, reducing the rate of paddy field conversion by 97% compared to the 2019-2021 period. During that time, approximately 136,000 hectares of paddy fields were converted into industrial or residential areas annually. Since the implementation of the LSD policy, only 5,600 hectares have been converted, marking a dramatic decline.

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)