Subaks in Denpasar Shrink, Academics Warn of Threats to Environmental and Cultural Aspects

Chair of the Subak Unit at Udayana University, I Ketut Suamba, commented on the shrinking Subak land in Denpasar. He noted that the remaining Subak area of 1,915 hectares could threaten environmental and cultural aspects.

“Subak not only provides rice, but is also closely linked to social and cultural dimensions,” Suamba told DetikBali, on Wednesday (20 May 2026).

Suamba said that food security, particularly for rice in Denpasar, will be threatened by the reduction in Subak land.

“Moreover, the current direction towards food sovereignty means adequate, affordable, and locally produced supply, especially in Bali including Denpasar City,” he explained.

Suamba urged Denpasar City Government (Pemkot Denpasar) to rigorously implement the results of the Sustainable Agricultural Land (LP2B) analysis, which has been documented in the form of LSD and a Government Regulation (Pergub).

“Subsidies should continue for inputs, and also for outputs, and there should be synergy among Subaks in developing tourism in the form of agro-tourism or agro-ecotourism,” Suamba said.

Previously, the active Subak land in Denpasar City, Bali, currently remains around 1,915 hectares from a total of 42 Subaks spread across four districts. The land includes paddy fields and horticultural crops that are still productive.

“That includes paddy fields and horticultural crops, not just rice fields. What we record as active can still be cultivated to which we can provide assistance; the assistance varies, it could be seeds, for example,” said the Head of the Denpasar City Agriculture Service (Distan) AA Gde Bayu Brahmasta when contacted by the DetikBali team on Wednesday (13 May 2026).

Distan Denpasar City revealed that the Subak areas that are starting to be critical are in South Denpasar and North Denpasar. The area is threatened due to housing development.

Currently there are 8 Subaks in West Denpasar, 10 Subaks in South Denpasar, 10 Subaks in North Denpasar, and 14 Subaks in East Denpasar. Brahmasta emphasised that Subak sustainability oversight is conducted by the respective village/kelurahan along with the Denpasar City Public Works and Public Housing Office (PUPR).