Nusron Wahid Vows to Protect Farmland in Post-Disaster Sumatra

Jakarta: Indonesia’s Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Nusron Wahid said his ministry will safeguard farmland in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra from land-grabbing following recent floods and landslides.

“Information shows 65,000 hectares of rice fields covered by mud. This creates potential for farmland loss. Unscrupulous actors could claim the land if boundaries disappear,” Nusron said in Jakarta on Monday, quoted from Antara, Tuesday 9 December 2025.

He emphasized the ministry will monitor and protect affected areas. “Fields that are already certified are safe because their boundaries exist in our spatial data. Unregistered land is more challenging to secure,” he added.

The ministry will prioritize verifying land titles and mapping spatial data to prevent illegal claims.

Earlier, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman confirmed the government is accelerating recovery for 40,000 hectares of farmland damaged by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

The recovery plan includes distributing seeds, fertilizers, and farm machinery, alongside field support to restore national food production.

Amran said the program ensures comprehensive reconstruction, from repairing lost rice fields to replanting, and returning land to rightful owners once recovered.

During a visit to 82 hectares of damaged farmland in Central Tapanuli, Amran said the central government will oversee repairs. Farmers will not incur costs, and reconstruction will proceed rapidly.

He urged local governments to finalize land boundary administration quickly to enable immediate recovery work. The coordinated approach between ATR/BPN and the Agriculture Ministry aims to secure land rights while restoring agricultural productivity in disaster-affected areas.

Authorities stressed that certified fields remain protected, while unregistered plots will undergo verification to prevent exploitation by land speculators. The government said all recovery steps will be fully funded and closely monitored to ensure transparency and efficiency.