Safeguarding Food Security, Central Java Governor Tightens Paddy Field Protection
Of that area, paddy productivity, measured as dry unhusked rice (GKG), reached almost 11 million tonnes in 2025, contributing 15.6% of the national total. For 2026, Central Java is targeting rice production of 10.5 million tonnes by the end of the year.
“Once paddy fields are lost, they can never return. We need to maintain the extent of agricultural land so that it does not change function,” said Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi in a statement on Tuesday (15 September 2026).
He made the remarks while attending a hearing (RDP) of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) with governors from across Indonesia at the DPR building in Jakarta.
Luthfi revealed that Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) in Central Java has already exceeded the minimum target of 87%, as set by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR/BPN). However, obstacles remain in several urban areas due to limited land availability.
For this reason, Luthfi proposed to the central government that regencies and cities that have already met the LP2B target be given incentives.
“Regencies and cities that have reached the target must also be promptly given incentives,” said Luthfi.
Luthfi also requested that the Ministry of ATR/BPN accelerate the certification of LP2B to clarify the status of such land. That way, regional governments can determine which land can be used for investment and which genuinely must not be converted.
On that occasion, Luthfi also touched on risk-based licensing, which currently falls under the authority of the central government. He expressed hope that this could be delegated to provincial governments so as to speed up the licensing process.
“Industrial zones are one of our main instruments for growing the local economy. When licensing rests with the centre, we, who have prepared 12 industrial zones, face difficulties. If possible, that authority should be delegated to us,” he said.
On the same occasion, Deputy Minister of ATR/BPN Ossy Darmawan commended Ahmad Luthfi and Central Java Province for meeting the 87% LP2B target as of July 2026. He said he would follow up on investment support, particularly regarding land needed for industrial purposes.
“Once the 87% of LP2B has been preserved as paddy fields, the next step is to identify which land can be explored to support investment,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Commission II of the DPR RI, Muhammad Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, said the designation of protected paddy fields and LP2B must be viewed holistically. He cited the case of Surakarta, which no longer has any available land and therefore should not be forced to comply.
“So we must look at this holistically, without forcing it, but prepare a mechanism whereby shortfalls can be subsidised by other regions. The 87% target must also be assessed against each province’s capacity,” he concluded.