The Dean of the School of Agriculture (Faperta) IPB College Prof. Suryo Wiyono harassed that the development of the switch of paddy fields in Indonesia was on the worrying stage. This was conveyed within the momentum of Nationwide Farmers Day, 24 September.

“The realm of ​​our paddy fields is simply round 7.3 million hectares. In comparison with different international locations, this determine could be very small. Globally, Indonesia is ranked 130 out of 180 international locations for the provision of agricultural land per capita. This example has an affect on the low international meals safety index,” mentioned Prof. Suryo.

Primarily based on information from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Statistics Company (BPS), the nationwide rice subject space continues to say no, from round 8.1 million hectares in 2015 to 7.4 million hectares in 2019.

Additionally learn: Professor of IPB: Switch of Agricultural Land Features The specter of meals safety

The paddy subject conversion charge was not small, recorded 60,000 – 80,000 hectares per 12 months in 2021, even different research confirmed 96,512 hectares per 12 months within the interval 2000-2015.

Mi/I’ve—Dean of the School of Agriculture (Faperta) IPB College Prof. Suryo Wiyono

In accordance with Prof. Suryo, land conversion primarily happens in fertile areas akin to Java, Sumatra and Bali. The principle issue is financial strain.

Additionally learn: Three Million Hectares of Rice Fields in Indonesia Not Formally Protected

“If the financial worth of non -agricultural land is greater, for instance for housing or trade, then paddy fields will likely be shortly transformed. One sq. meter of land might be value billions of rupiah, whereas rice yields should not comparable,” he defined.

He asserted, the risk to meals safety could be very severe.

“If the conversion reaches 100 thousand hectares per 12 months, in 10 years we lose a million hectares. Despite the fact that our rice fields are solely 7.3 million hectares. That’s extraordinary affect on nationwide meals,” he mentioned.

As a solutive technique, he talked about three essential issues. First, defend fertile land in manufacturing facilities; Second, open a brand new space for agriculture; And third, enhance present land productiveness.

“We should have a look at the Regulation on Sustainable Meals Agricultural Land Quantity 41 of 2009. Its implementation must be strengthened by financial incentives in order that farmers wish to preserve their land,” mentioned Prof. Suryo.

He additionally harassed the necessity for the event of excessive financial worth vegetation, akin to edible mushrooms, particularly in Java, which is slender however fertile.

“Horticultural crops, chili, or spices might be an choice. Sustainable meals agriculture have to be consistent with the welfare of farmers,” he mentioned.

The momentum of Nationwide Farmers Day, added Prof. Suryo, ought to be a joint reminder that defending agricultural land isn’t solely a matter of sustaining meals manufacturing, but in addition sustaining the way forward for future generations to proceed to have sufficient entry to meals that’s ample, secure, and reasonably priced.

He thought of, and not using a severe dedication from the native authorities, the neighborhood, and all stakeholders, the specter of the meals disaster can be extra obvious.

“Switch of land capabilities have to be seen as a strategic difficulty. If left unchecked, meals sovereignty will likely be extra fragile,” he mentioned.

Moreover, Prof. Suryo invitations the youthful technology to take part in sustaining and creating the agricultural sector.

In accordance with him, agriculture isn’t solely a matter of planting rice, but in addition an excellent alternative for promising innovation, know-how, and agribusiness enterprise. “Farmers should prosper in order that our meals is assured,” he mentioned. (Z-1)