Conversion of Agricultural Land and Its Implications for Food Security in Parepare City (Bacukiki District): An Agrarian Law Perspective

Abstract

Agricultural land conversion is the change in land use from agricultural to non-agricultural uses, such as residential, commercial, service, and infrastructure. This phenomenon continues to increase with population growth and regional economic development, including in Bacukiki District, Parepare City. This condition has the potential to reduce the area of productive agricultural land and threaten regional food security. This study aims to analyze the forms and factors causing agricultural land conversion, its implications for food security, and the perspective of agrarian law in its regulation and control in Parepare City. This study uses empirical legal research methods with a qualitative approach. Data were obtained through interviews with the Parepare City Agriculture Office and the Bacukiki District Government and supported by secondary data in the form of laws and regulations, government documents, and related scientific literature. The results indicate that agricultural land conversion in Bacukiki District occurs in the form of conversion of agricultural land into residential, commercial, service, and infrastructure areas. The main contributing factors include economic growth, increased demand for space due to population growth, less productive land conditions, and community economic demands. The resulting implications include reduced local food production capacity and increased dependence on food supplies from outside the region. The novelty of this research lies in the formulation of a land conversion control model based on the social function of land rights, which integrates the protection of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B), strengthening spatial planning control, and providing incentives to farmers as instruments to maintain a balance between regional development and food security. This model can serve as policy recommendations for local governments in strengthening sustainable agricultural land protection.