observerid.com

Jakarta, IO – The Government is requiring all regions across Indonesia to designate at least 87 percent of their rice fields as “Sustainable Food and Agricultural Land”, in a bid to safeguard long-term food security.

The policy is outlined in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 4/2026 on the Control of Rice Field Conversion. The regulation designates 6.39 million hectares of officially-recorded rice fields (Lahan Baku Sawah/LBS) as Protected Rice Fields (Lahan Sawah Dilindungi/LSD) and Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (Lahan Pertanian Pangan Berkelanjutan/LP2B).

Under the regulation, the protected LP2B rice fields are permanently excluded from being converted to any other use; they account for at least 87 percent of total nationally-registered paddies.

As a result, regional governments are required to incorporate the 87 percent allocation of Lahan Baku Sawah into their Regional Spatial Planning (RTRW) documents. In practice, this means the vast majority of nationally-recorded rice fields must remain dedicated to agricultural use. The designation serves as a legal foundation for local authorities to exert control over land utilization and prevent conversion.

The central government is also encouraging regional administrations to provide incentives to LP2B landowners, including easier access to farming inputs, agricultural business protection and infrastructure support. The goal is to ensure farmers remain motivated to defend their farmland.

To date, the central government has designated Protected Rice Fields (LSD) across eight provinces where land conversion is strictly prohibited: West Java, Banten, Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, West Sumatra, East Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara.

In support of the Government’s program, Independent Observer visited rice farmers planting seedlings in the fields of Muktiwari Village, Cibitung, Bekasi Regency, West Java. (IO/Septo Kun Wijaya)

Published Date: March 9, 2026