Penajam Regent Prohibits Farmers Converting Rice Fields to Palm Oils

Regent of Penajam Paser Utara in East Kalimantan, Hamdam Pongrewa, has banned farmers from converting rice fields into oil palm plantations, arguing that this is against the existing regulations prohibiting agricultural land conversion.

Penajam Paser Utara Government plans to take strict measures against illegal land conversion as the existing agricultural land is shrinking. This regency happens to be the location of the Nusantara State Capital (IKN).

There have been cases where farmers have cited problems with obtaining irrigation water as a reason for land conversion. However, Hamdam said that the existing agricultural conditions could yield about six tons of high-quality rice per hectare and can reap two harvests per year. Subsequently, farming rice fields can amass greater revenue than oil palm plantations within the same land area.

Having oil palm plantations amid rice fields may be detrimental as the plantations can become a breeding place for rat pests. “Water difficulty is not a valid cause to convert agricultural land into oil palm plantations. We ask farmers to maintain the potential of rice fields while discontinuing rice field conversion,” he said.