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Land and food security

Reform, farmers and action in West Java

Down to Earth No. 48 February 2001


This article is a summary of an Indonesian language report by land rights activist Andi Achdian, written following recent field work in West Java. The report details the impoverishment of farmers in Tegalbuleud sub-district during the Suharto years.

Meru Betiri National Park mining threat

Down to Earth No. 48, February 2001


NGOs are protesting against the decision by local government authorities in East Java to license gold-mining in an area which includes a national park as well as productive plantation and farmland owned by local people.

Farmers call for agrarian justice

Down to Earth No. 41 May 1999

Two meetings of peasant farmers' organisations this year have come up with important messages for the current and future governments of Indonesia concerning land and resource rights.

The United Federation of Indonesian Farmers (FSPI), founded in July last year, held its first congress in February.

Students join farmers to demand rights

Down to Earth No. 39, Nov 1998

People's action to reclaim their land is gathering pace.

The protests in the weeks immediately surrounding the fall of Suharto were largely mounted by urban-based students, workers and professional groups. Land reform - if mentioned – came at the end of lists of demands for the removal of the president, moves against corruption and reduced food prices.