Bamsoet Supports Wild Boar Hunting to Protect Farmers from Crop Damage
According to Bamsoet, the presence of wild boars in several regions has caused significant distress among farmers, as they destroy agricultural land and threaten harvests. Across various areas, wildlife interference with farmland remains a recurring issue, particularly in regions bordering forested areas or those experiencing changes in landscape.
Crop damage caused by wild boar attacks frequently results in farmers losing part or even all of their harvests within a single planting season. “Wild boar hunting activities are a tangible response to the concerns of farmers who have long faced real threats from the increasing wild boar population. When agricultural land is damaged and yields decline, it affects not only farmers’ incomes but also the overall food supply chain for the community,” Bamsoet stated in a release on Saturday (23/5/2026).
These remarks were made following a wild boar hunting activity with the Jalu Hunter Club and the Chairman of the Indonesian Shooting Association (PERBAKIN) Banten, Inspector General Pol Nunung Syaifuddin, in Malimping, Lebak, Banten, on Friday (22/5). Bamsoet explained that the explosion in the wild boar population is not an isolated issue. In many regions, human-wildlife conflict is increasing due to changes in land use, shrinking natural habitats, and the availability of food sources near agricultural areas.
Wild boars are known for their high reproductive capacity and ability to adapt to environmental changes. Under certain conditions, a single group of wild boars can multiply rapidly, causing swift damage to food crops. Affected crops include rice, maize, cassava, and horticultural products.
“When farmers have invested in seeds, fertiliser, and labour, and waited months for harvest, only to have the results destroyed in a few nights by wild boar attacks, we cannot remain silent. Hunting activities to control the wild boar population must be carried out regularly, professionally, and in accordance with conservation and safety regulations, to truly provide security for the community and yield real economic benefits,” said Bamsoet.
Bamsoet also encouraged wild boar population control to be accompanied by long-term measures. These efforts could include mapping areas prone to wildlife conflict, strengthening citizen reporting systems, utilising technology for monitoring agricultural areas, and educating the community on habitat management. This approach ensures that population control is not merely a temporary measure but part of a sustainable environmental and agricultural management policy.
“The ultimate goal is to reduce community distress, keep harvests safe, increase agricultural productivity, and ensure farmers can enjoy their hard work more optimally. When harvests are protected, farmer welfare increases, and regional food security becomes stronger,” he concluded.