Legal Literacy - Land conversion agriculture into non-agricultural land, such as shopping centers or housing, has become an increasingly pressing issue in Indonesia. This phenomenon not only impacts food availability but also changes the social and economic landscape of society. In this context, the law is often used as a tool to legitimize these changes, while the impact on the environment and society is often overlooked. This article will discuss who is responsible for land conversion, focusing on legal and social aspects.
Background of Land Conversion
Land conversion in Indonesia has become part of rapid urban development. Data from the Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) shows that the area of agricultural land in Indonesia decreases by approximately 100,000 hectares per year due to conversion into non-agricultural land (BPS, 2021). One concrete example is in Jakarta, where many green areas that once functioned as rice fields have now been transformed into malls and shopping centers. According to a Kompas report, around 60 percent of green open spaces in Jakarta have been lost in the last two decades, replaced by commercial buildings (Kompas, 2020).
Research results indicate that this land conversion is often driven by economic needs, such as increasing regional income and creating jobs. However, the long-term impacts of this conversion are often ignored. Research by Adiyaksa and Djojomartono (2020) shows that the conversion of agricultural land into industrial land in Kendal Regency has resulted in a decrease in local food production and an increase in dependence on imported food.
Laws and Policies Related to Land Conversion
The law in Indonesia provides a framework for land management but is often not well implemented. Law No. 41 of 2009 concerning the Protection of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land, for example, aims to protect agricultural land from land conversion. However, in practice, many agricultural lands are still converted due to weak supervision and law enforcement (Puspitaningrum, 2018).
Many parties argue that the law is often used as a tool for specific interests. In many cases, land conversion permits are granted even though they contradict existing regulations. According to Ikhwanto (2019), this creates loopholes for developers to exploit agricultural land for short-term economic interests, without regard to the broader environmental and social impacts.
Social and Economic Impact
Land conversion not only impacts the environment but also the lives of the community. Many farmers lose their livelihoods when their rice fields are converted into shopping centers. Research by Hastuty (2018) shows that the conversion of agricultural land leads to increased unemployment among farmers, who switch to informal jobs with uncertain incomes.
On the other hand, the construction of shopping centers is often accompanied by an increase in property values in the surrounding area, which can benefit some parties. However, this can also lead to social conflicts, especially when communities living around agricultural land feel marginalized and do not benefit from the development (Nulhaqim et al., 2020).
Who is Responsible?
The main question that arises is who is responsible for this land conversion? Many parties are involved in this process, from local governments that issue permits, developers who carry out construction, to affected communities. Weak law enforcement makes it difficult to determine who should be held accountable when land conversion has a negative impact on society and the environment.
Most people feel that the government should be more proactive in protecting agricultural land and green open spaces. However, many also argue that the community itself should be more active in monitoring and maintaining their agricultural land. In this context, public education and awareness about the importance of agricultural land are key to preventing detrimental conversion.
Conclusion
The conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land is a complex issue involving many aspects, including legal, economic, and social. Although there are regulations designed to protect agricultural land, their implementation is often not optimal. Responsibility for land conversion cannot be borne by one party alone; all elements of society, including the government, developers, and the community, must play an active role in maintaining the sustainability of agricultural land.
In facing this challenge, a more holistic and collaborative approach is needed, where all parties are committed to protecting agricultural land for the survival of the community and the environment. Thus, we can ensure that land conversion not only benefits a few people but also provides broader benefits to society.
References
- Adiyaksa, Fitrian, and Prijono Nugroho Djojomartono. "Evaluation of agricultural land conversion into industrial land in Kendal Regency in 2014–2018." Journal of Geospatial Information Science and Engineering 3.1 (2020): 71-78.
- Agus Ikhwanto. "Conversion of Agricultural Land into Non-Agricultural Land." Jurnal Hukum dan Kenotariatan 3.1 (2019): 60-73.
- Hastuty, Sri. "Identification of driving factors for agricultural land conversion." Prosiding 3.1 (2018).
- Nulhaqim, Soni Ahmad, Eva Nuriyah Hidayat, and Muhammad Fedryansyah. "Preventive efforts for land eviction conflicts." Share Social Work Journal 10.1 (2020): 109-117.
- Puspitaningrum, Dwi Aulia. "Conversion of Agricultural Land and Its Impact on the Availability of Forage Land." Conversion of Agricultural Land and Its Impact on the Availability of Forage Land. (2018).
- Isa, Iwan. "Agricultural land conversion control strategy." Proceedings of the Multifunctional and Agricultural Revitalization Seminar. Agricultural Research and Development Agency, Department of Agriculture. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan and ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta. 2006.
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