RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian House of Representatives Commission II lawmaker Jazuli Juwaini has raised serious concern over the widespread conversion of productive agricultural land into industrial and residential areas, warning that such practices threaten national food sovereignty.

During a hearing with the Minister of Home Affairs, Jazuli stressed that land conversion is closely tied to the role of regional administrations in development and spatial planning policies.

“Regional administrations have significant authority and influence in regional development and spatial planning. Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs must monitor and guide them to ensure regional policies do not convert productive agricultural land into industrial or residential areas without considering food sovereignty,” Jazuli said on Friday, June 12, 2026.

He noted that the shrinking of productive farmland requires collective attention, as it directly affects the nation’s ability to meet future food needs.

Jazuli emphasized that regional development policies must align with the spirit of food sovereignty, a priority of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

“We must not allow enthusiasm for regional economic growth to sacrifice agricultural land, the foundation of national food sovereignty. Development must go hand in hand with the protection of living and food-production spaces. We want food sovereignty, not just food security,” he said.

Food sovereignty, he explained, means producing 100 percent of domestic food needs, or even achieving a surplus. In contrast, food security can be met through imports. “Clearly, the president wants food sovereignty, not just food security,” Jazuli added.

In a separate hearing with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Jazuli urged officials to be more cautious in evaluating permits and spatial planning changes. He stressed that every proposed change must undergo rigorous review to prevent further conversion of productive farmland.

“We ask ATR/BPN to conduct a serious and thorough evaluation of every permit and spatial planning change. Decisions must not accelerate the conversion of productive agricultural land, which would ultimately harm the nation’s long-term interests,” he said.

He concluded that protecting farmland must be part of the national strategy to uphold food security and sovereignty while ensuring sustainable development that serves the people’s interests. (Misni Parjiati)