Jakarta – Indonesia’s Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, delivered an important message during the 2025 National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of Real Estate Indonesia (REI). Speaking in front of hundreds of property industry players in Ancol, Jakarta, on Thursday (December 4, 2025), he urged developers to stop using rice fields—especially those designated as Sustainable Food Crop Land (LP2B)—for housing projects.
“I strongly encourage developers to avoid buying rice fields for housing, particularly those located within LP2B areas,” Nusron stated during his speech.
He emphasized that protecting agricultural land is not merely a technical policy, but a national strategy essential to strengthen Indonesia’s long-term food security. According to him, the government has a clear mandate and legal foundation to restrict the conversion of rice fields.
“We have been given a mandate by law and cabinet decisions that rice fields must not be converted. Why? Because this is for the future of our next generations,” Nusron said to REI Chairman Joko Suranto and other association leaders attending the event.
Indonesia’s Rice Fields Are Shrinking Every Year
Nusron highlighted a concerning trend: Indonesia continues to lose rice field areas annually. Based on data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in 2021, the country is losing between 60,000 and 80,000 hectares of rice fields every year—equivalent to roughly 165 to 220 hectares disappearing per day.
He warned that if this massive reduction is not controlled, Indonesia’s food security could face serious threats in the near future. Therefore, maintaining a balance between land for agriculture and land for development is crucial.
“We want to create a balance between food, industry, energy, and housing. Every sector needs to move forward together without sacrificing each other,” he added.
REI National Meeting 2025: Accelerating the Three Million Homes Program
The 2025 REI National Working Meeting carried the theme “Propertinomic 2.0: Overcoming Barriers and Accelerating the Three Million Homes Program.” The event was also attended by several key officials, including Director General of Spatial Planning Suyus Windayana, Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau Shamy Ardian, Director of Land Rights Control and Land Conversion Andi Renald, and Director of Land and Space Registration Regulation Ana Anida.
Through this forum, the government reiterated its support for accelerating housing development while firmly ensuring that productive rice fields remain protected as a vital pillar for Indonesia’s long-term food resilience.
