Strengthening Farmers Amidst Land Conflicts and Irrigation Limitations in Pesantren Village

The community of Pesantren Village, Ulujami District, Pemalang Regency has managed 163 hectares of land to meet their living needs since 1993. Land management includes: 50 hectares for agricultural land planted with rice, secondary crops, and jasmine; 90 hectares for milkfish and shrimp farming; 10 hectares as housing; and 13 hectares for public and social facilities.

However, the land managed by the community is faced with an agrarian problem with the company claiming the 163-hectare ex-HGU, even though the business permit has expired since 2008. The expiration of the business permit should automatically mean that the company will no longer receive a permit to continue its plantation business in the Pesantren Village area, Pemalang Regency. However, the company insists on extending the HGU permit.

The good news is, the Pemalang Regency Government did not grant the renewal of the permit, not least because the community has been working on the land for decades. The ATR/BPN Pemalang Office has pushed for the former HGU land to be targeted for land redistribution, the Pemalang Independent Farmers Union (STIP) also advocated for the Priority Location for Agrarian Reform (LPRA) together KPA to strengthen the process.

Another challenge is that for years the agricultural land of Pesantren Village has faced limited irrigation, especially in the dry season. Dependence on rainwater is a major obstacle in maintaining stable harvest yields. Efforts to increase agricultural production in Pesantren Village have entered a new phase through a strengthening program pioneered by the Pemalang Independent Farmers Union (STIP). With the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding, STIP has procured agricultural support equipment to reduce land processing costs and reduce dependence on rainwater, by procuring 3 tractors; 4 water pumps and hoses; and 2 lawn mowers. Supporting facilities help farmers reduce production costs, improve the quality of soil processing, and productivity throughout the season without depending on rainwater. To store agricultural tools, STIP members worked together to build a warehouse for agricultural tools.

Previously, farmers in Pesantren Village had to spend quite a lot of money to rent agricultural equipment from outside, with rates of up to IDR 1.500.000 per hectare. With STIP agricultural equipment, costs can be reduced to IDR 1.000.000 per hectare. The use of tractors can significantly increase the effectiveness of soil processing, resulting in looser and more ready-to-plant land. Farmers also get help from experienced operators who are able to carry out various stages of land processing, from brengkal, plowing, to leveling.

STIP has developed a more structured agricultural equipment lending system, allowing farmers to access facilities easily and at affordable costs. Cash from equipment lending is used for equipment maintenance and to support STIP operations. In addition, STIP provides free access for its members to use water pumps and lawn mowers, simply by covering the cost of fuel. Water pumps are also very helpful in overcoming irrigation constraints in higher and drought-prone areas, especially in the dry season when river water is salty due to tidal flooding. With water pumps, farmers can regulate irrigation according to need, keeping their rice fields from drying out.

STIP members are now able to reduce production costs and meet their families' food needs. The 20 hectares of land allocated for rice and secondary crops have now provided harvests for the daily consumption of STIP member farmers. In the future, the benefits of the program will gradually reach the total of 50 hectares of agricultural land in Pesantren Village.

By providing agricultural support facilities, not only agricultural productivity increases, community solidarity is getting stronger, and the organization's income sources are flowing. Pesantren Village is real evidence of how collaboration between local communities and the flexibility of using direct funding can overcome challenges in fighting for the rights, sovereignty, and independence of farmers.