Sustainable Food Agriculture Land Sets An Area Of 342.63 Hectares In Natuna

Natuna Regent Cen Sui Lan (right) while inspecting the rice fields and seeing rice harvest farmers in Bunguran Batubi District. (ANTARA/HO-Natuna Regency Government)

JAKARTA - The Natuna Regency Government in Riau Islands Province has set a total of 342.63 hectares as Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) in an effort to maintain the availability of land for long-term food crop cultivation and prevent land conversion.

Head of the Natuna Food and Agriculture Security Service (DKPP), Wan Sazali, explained that the LP2B area is spread over five sub-districts, including: 44.02 hectares in Central Bunguran, 179.76 hectares in Bunguran Batubi, 68.37 hectares in North Bunguran, 10.02 hectares in South Bunguran, and 40.46 hectares in East Serasan.

The determination of LP2B is carried out based on the Natuna Regent Regulation Number 61 of 2024, which aims to support food security and improve the welfare of the community, especially farmers.

"With LP2B, we want to ensure that agricultural land remains available and productive for future generations, in order to support regional food sovereignty," he said, Sunday (11/5).

To support increased rice production, the central, provincial and district governments collaborate in providing various forms of assistance to farmers, such as superior seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and pest control training.

In 2025, Natuna targets a total area of rice planting to reach 114 hectares, which will be supported by biofortified rice seeds for 65 hectares and seeds of Inpari 32 varieties for 35 hectares. The rest, about 14 hectares, is planted through self-help of farmers and assistance from the Riau Islands Provincial Government.

In addition, the Natuna Regency Government also provides assistance in the form of NPK fertilizers, dolomites, and pesticides, as well as providing direct technical assistance to ensure optimal agricultural products.

As of April 2025, DKPP noted that the realization of rice planting had reached 30.4 hectares, with details of 7.15 hectares in Central Bunguran, 11.25 hectares in Bunguran Batubi, and 12 hectares in East Serasan.

The first Harvest was carried out on May 9 in Batubi, with dry grain yields reaching 5 tons, and several other rice fields still waiting for their turn to harvest, "explained Sazali.

It is estimated that the total production of this year's total land target could reach 230 tons of rice, an increase compared to the 2024 realization which is below 200 tons.

Farm facilities also continue to be equipped. In Batubi Jaya Village, two units of rice milling units are available for rice milling and two hand tractor units to support the cultivation and post-harvest processes.