InfoSAWIT, SOUTH BANGKA –Amidst the expanse of once lush green agricultural land, farmers in Rias Village, Toboali District, South Bangka, are now facing heavy pressure. Not just because of the weather or pests, but because of the presence of oil palm plantations that are increasingly approaching their rice fields.
Angga, a farmer in Dusun Air Pairem, is holding back his anger. His rice fields are now sandwiched between two different worlds: rubber on one side, and oil palm on the other. The view that was once refreshing has now turned into a never-ending worry. It is not only a matter of land conversion, but also a threat to the sustainability of food production.
"The water in my rice field now only lasts for two to three days. Pests are also increasing, especially rats," Angga was quoted as saying InfoSAWIT from BangkaPoston Friday (16/5/2025). He said that since the rice fields were surrounded by oil palm plantations, the harvest yields have continued to decline. From four one-hectare rice fields, they now only produce 29 sacks of dry harvested rice—a figure far from expectations.
Angga and other farmers admitted that they have repeatedly conveyed complaints to the village, district and provincial governments. In fact, this issue was voiced directly to the Governor of Bangka Belitung in 2018. However, until now, there has been no concrete follow-up.
"It's as if we were left to face this alone," he said softly.
Land conversion is a major concern. Protected rice fields in the food security policy are slowly shrinking due to the shift in function to plantations. It is unclear whether the process is legal or deviates from spatial planning and agricultural regulations.
Acting Head of the South Bangka Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Service, Risvandika, said that his party would go directly to check the status of the disputed land. However, he could not yet confirm whether the conversion violated the rules or was a conversion that was in accordance with the provisions.
Meanwhile, farmers continue to wait for certainty. For them, rice fields are not just about harvest, but also about identity and livelihood. If oil palm plantations continue to enter without control, then the local food crisis could become a real threat, starting from a place as small as Dusun Air Pairem.
There are still many questions hanging, who gave the permit? Was there an environmental audit? And most importantly: who will protect the fate of farmers if food land continues to shrink?
For Angga and other farmers in Rias Village, the answers to these questions are crucial—not only for the next planting season, but also for the future of agriculture in South Bangka. (T2)
