The PKBH Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, held a legal counseling session titled "Agricultural Law Enforcement to Achieve Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture in Bantul Regency." The theme was chosen to reflect the second goal of the SDGs, "Zero Hunger," of which resilient and sustainable agriculture is a pillar.
Approximately 30 participants attended the internal legal counseling session at the Bantul Regency Food Security and Agriculture Office on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. The location for the legal counseling session was based on regional conditions and issues related to agriculture in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), where Bantul Regency ranks first in terms of productive agricultural land in the province. Its agrarian character makes Bantul Regency a major rice-producing region in the province. However, recently, there has been an increasing trend of agricultural land conversion in the district, resulting in an annual decrease in productive land. This situation automatically impacts agricultural productivity in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).
Dr. Jur. Any Andjarwati, S.H., M.Jur., a lecturer in the Department of Agrarian Law, Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, outlined several important aspects of agricultural law enforcement that must be considered in resolving agricultural governance issues in Bantul Regency. As previously stated, the main problem faced is the increasing conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses, which ultimately threatens food productivity in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This problematic trend is indicative of the low level of welfare guarantees for farmers.
The issue of farmer welfare was strongly emphasized by the resource person, as farmers are the main actors in the context of agricultural governance. Meanwhile, one of the goals of equitable agricultural law enforcement is to realize sustainable agriculture that can guarantee the welfare of farmers. Ironically, however, the regulation regarding the definition of farmer itself remains very broad, resulting in a vague understanding of the legal subject of farmers. Unclear regulations regarding the legal status of farmers also hamper the enforcement of equitable agricultural laws that promote the welfare of farmers, as stated in the national agrarian legal system.
Following the presentation by the resource person, the event continued with a question-and-answer session and a closing statement from the speaker. In his closing statement, the speaker stated that ensuring farmer welfare is key to enforcing equitable agricultural laws. This requires careful consideration to support ongoing agricultural activities, ensuring a sustainable food production system and implementing resilient agriculture, as a derivative of the second goal of the SDGs: "Zero Hunger."
Author : Daisy Tamegasari (Department of Agrarian Law)
Editor: Public Relations
