DPR Values The Transfer Of Rice Field Functions Into Houses Not In Line With Food Security Mission Visions

Photo by Simon Fanger on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV DPR Daniel Johan said the policy of changing the function of agricultural land for the program of 3 million houses was not in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's vision and mission regarding food security. Land conversion can have a negative impact on the environment.

"If the land is converted, then what will happen to Indonesia's food security? Meanwhile, food security is the main pillar of people's welfare," said Daniel Johan, Tuesday, December 17.

As is known, the Government plans to make a policy of transferring the function of rice fields or agricultural land in Java to build 3 million houses and downstreaming. The plan has drawn criticism because it is considered not in accordance with the food self-sufficiency program and has the potential to increase the number of small agricultural farmers or farmers with the control of small agricultural land.

According to Daniel, spatial planning policies must be aligned with the big vision of sustainable development that prioritizes the interests of the people.

"Don't let it only benefit one-sidedly and harm the people. The government must realize that agricultural land is not just land, but a source of life for millions of Indonesians," said the legislator from the West Kalimantan I electoral district.

The policy plan regarding sustainable agricultural land areas (KP2B) will be included in the Draft Government Regulation on the 2025-2045 National Regional Spatial Planning (RPP RTRW) which is being prepared by the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development.

KP2B is said to accommodate, among others, the conversion of sustainable food farming land in Java for the 3 million house program per year, as well as the downstream program. Developers who use rice fields in an area in Java are not required to print replacement rice fields in the area, but outside Java.

Daniel reminded that protecting agricultural land means protecting the nation's future. When agricultural land continues to be converted, Indonesia will further lose land for farming which is food security capital.

"Instead of the productive agricultural land function, especially in Java as the main food barn, it will have a serious impact on national food supply. This policy can also worsen the condition of smallholders who have been economically vulnerable," said Daniel.

"Imagine how much agricultural land will be lost to build 3 million houses. This is not in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's vision and mission to pursue Indonesia to be self-sufficient in food," he said.

The government should expand agricultural land so that smallholders can grow, instead of narrowing agricultural opportunities by land transfer. The conversion of land is said to open up opportunities for reducing Indonesian agriculture.

"During the regeneration of farmers, it is difficult, the policy of land transfer will make agriculture in Indonesia even more eroded. In fact, he said Indonesia is an agrarian country," said Daniel.