Story
August 30, 2022
The Chaotic Dispute Over Central Kalimantan's Food Belt (bahasa Indonesia)
Country:
The food estate project in Kalimantan, which was revived to respond to the crisis since the Covid-19...
This story excerpt was translated from bahasa Indonesia. To read the original story in full, visit Kompas. You may also view the original story on the Rainforest Journalism Fund website here. Our website is available in English, Spanish, bahasa Indonesia, French, and Portuguese.
The "food estate" program in Central Kalimantan, prepared to answer national food needs, has the potential to become a source of new problems. The program also cannot replace the Dayak traditional farming system.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS—The food estate program in Central Kalimantan is prepared to answer national food needs. At the local level, it is expected to replace the traditional cultivation system that has been banned. However, findings in the field show various problems faced by this national strategic program.
Some of Kompas' findings in the field from July 15-28, 2022, ranged from cassava fields that looked neglected in Tawai Baru Village, Gunung Mas Regency, to fertilizer and dolomite lime aid that was left piled up on the side of the road at new rice field locations in a number of villages in Pulang Pisau Regency and Kapuas Regency. These three districts are food estate program locations.
Erwin Noorwibowo, Director of Land Expansion and Protection at the Ministry of Agriculture, said in an online discussion on Tuesday (8/23/2022) that the food estate program in Central Kalimantan is intended to sustain food security in the future. This is because the conversion of rice fields now reaches 100,000 hectares (ha) per year. Meanwhile, the population grows by around 2.7 million people per year.
As a nonprofit journalism organization, we depend on your support to fund journalism covering underreported issues around the world. Donate any amount today to become a Pulitzer Center Champion and receive exclusive benefits!
