Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) Branch of Banjarmasin Head Noorlatifah said the remaining agricultural land in the area should be preserved.
She said the remaining farmland in the provincial capital is estimated to live only 25 percent or about 1,700 hectares. "If there is no mutual commitment to taking conservation measures, this agricultural land will eventually be exhausted," said the city's legislative council member, Tuesday.
She hopes that three of the five sub-districts, those still have farmland, namely North Banjarmasin, South Banjarmasin, and East Banjarmasin, received serious attention from the local government.
"In the near future, we will do an audience with the agriculture agency. We want to get valid data on farmland here," she said.
Including, she continued Lala, the number of farmers who still survive in the frenetic big city.
"Our common mission is how these farmers can keep their farms because there are many lucrative offers that make them sell their land for housing construction," she pointed out.
Thus, Noorlatifah said, there needs to be a clear map of where the agricultural land should be preserved which is strengthened by the making of local regulations.
"Because of the agricultural land in this area as well as water absorption areas. If not prepared, Banjarmasin threatened by flood," she reminded.
She strongly supported the steps of municipal government who did the land acquisition or buy community agricultural land for the preservation of the water catchment area.
"HKTI will continue to support the municipal measures in conserving agricultural areas," she said.