Regent: Agricultural Land Over Function Alarming

By Ulul Maskuriah

Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Regent Tapin Arpan Ariffin said conversion of agricultural land into oil palm plantations and mining in Tapin district, South Kalimantan, is increasingly alarming.

"Land conversion is quite alarming. If not prevented, it would surely threaten regions and province food production," said Regent in Rantau on Sunday.

According to him, now that he is constantly going to communities to disseminate the importance of maintaining the viability of agricultural land and food production areas.

If there is no appeal and continuous socialization, he did not rule out the community will race using the land for oil palm plantations  and mining which are considered to have higher economic values.

In addition to socializing, regent expects provincial and districts RTRWP (spatial) can be legalized as it would be to maintain the grip area of ??the farm location.

According to him , Tapin has so far is the second largest contributor to rice production in South Kalimantan after Barito Kuala. So this area is targeted to be a contributor to national food production. However, the targets set by the Governor is severe enough for a 10 percent increase in rice production next year.

"It was not easy, but we will try our best," said Ariffin.