Eternal Rice Fields for the Nation's Future

A great nation is not merely one capable of building tall structures and grand infrastructure. A great nation is one that can safeguard its own sources of life. Amidst various achievements in the national food sector that deserve gratitude, there is one important issue worthy of reflection regarding the adequacy of space to grow food for Indonesia’s future generations. This question arose during a discussion among elders of the West Java branch of the Indonesian Farmers’ Harmony Association (HKTI) in Bandung. What began as a light conversation turned into a deep reflection on the future of Indonesia’s rice fields. The unease that surfaced was not solely about today’s rice production, but about the sustainability of agricultural land, which has been the foundation of national food security. This concern feels increasingly relevant as the government strives to maintain the rice self-sufficiency achieved in 2025. Various production enhancement programmes continue, including plans to open new rice fields in Merauke, Papua, and Central Kalimantan. Yet, a fundamental question arises: will opening new fields be enough if existing productive rice fields continue to diminish at the same time? In the history of Indonesia’s agricultural development, the idea of protecting rice fields is not new. During the drafting of Law Number 41 of 2009 concerning the Protection of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land, an interesting debate emerged regarding the regulation’s name. Some parties proposed the term ‘Eternal Rice Field Law’ as it was felt to better capture the spirit of protecting agricultural land. Ultimately, a more formal name was chosen, but the essence remains the same: to ensure the continuity of agricultural land so it can continue to meet the community’s food needs. The spirit behind the law’s creation stemmed from an undeniable reality. In various regions, especially food production centres, the conversion of agricultural land is accelerating. Rice fields that once produced grain are transforming into residential areas, business centres, industrial zones, and various infrastructure projects.