Nusron Affirms Protection of Agricultural Land is a Government Priority
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid has emphasised that the government is prioritising the protection of agricultural land. This move aims to support food self-sufficiency amidst high demand for land for various national strategic programmes.
He made the statement while chairing a Coordination Meeting on the Designation of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) for South Sulawesi Province at the Governor’s Office in Makassar on Thursday (9/7/2026).
“For the President, food security and self-sufficiency are a necessary condition, a must and a need in this uncertain global situation. Therefore, we are ordered to safeguard and protect rice fields and agricultural land through the LP2B decree,” Nusron said.
In line with this policy, the government has set a target of protecting 87% of total Protected Rice Fields (LSD) in each region. The South Sulawesi Provincial Government has already exceeded this target by designating 88.05% of its land as LP2B. The Minister of ATR/Head of BPN expressed his appreciation for this decision.
Nevertheless, he reminded that land outside the LP2B area cannot be converted arbitrarily. “It can be used, but not freely. You must still apply for a permit to use non-LP2B land for other purposes. This is to prevent reckless land conversion,” he stated.
Furthermore, Nusron urged district and city governments to immediately integrate the LP2B designation into their Regional Spatial Plans (RTRW) and to accelerate the drafting of Detailed Spatial Plans (RDTR). If they require support or face budget constraints, local governments can coordinate further with the Directorate General of Spatial Planning.
He revealed that the Ministry of ATR/BPN has received additional budget from the central government to assist in the preparation of RTRW in 104 districts/cities and 400 RDTRs nationwide. Therefore, regions that have not yet prepared their RTRW or RDTR are encouraged to submit proposals immediately so that the RDTR coverage target in South Sulawesi can reach 100% by 2028.
On this occasion, all regents and mayors across South Sulawesi signed the Minutes of LP2B Designation as a commitment to maintaining food security. The signing was witnessed by the Minister of ATR/Head of BPN, South Sulawesi Regional Secretary Jufri Rahman, Director General of Spatial Planning Suyus Windayana, and Head of the South Sulawesi BPN Regional Office Wartomo.
South Sulawesi Regional Secretary Jufri Rahman explained that the province is a pillar of national food security, particularly for eastern Indonesia. As the largest rice production centre in Indonesia, protecting agricultural land through the LP2B designation is a necessary strategic step. To date, the designated LP2B area in South Sulawesi has reached 581,309 hectares, or 88.05% of the total 660,683 hectares of Raw Rice Fields (LBS).
“This achievement means South Sulawesi has exceeded the final LP2B designation target three years ahead of schedule. This is a form of commitment as well as legal certainty in protecting LP2B in every region,” concluded Jufri Rahman.