The Indonesian government has announced plans to convert 2.3 million hectares of protected forests into agricultural zones for food and biofuel crop production. This initiative is part of a larger goal to develop 20 million hectares of forest into “food and energy estates” to strengthen the country’s food and energy security. The government plans to plant 1.1 million hectares with upland rice, which could produce 3.5 million tons annually—equivalent to Indonesia’s rice imports in 2023. Additionally, 1.5 million hectares will be dedicated to sugar palm cultivation, projected to generate 24 million kiloliters of bioethanol, reducing the need for 26 million kiloliters of imported fuel.
However, environmental groups and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the ecological impact of converting protected forests. Critics warn that large-scale deforestation could lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss, undermining global climate goals. They advocate for alternative solutions, such as restoring degraded lands and supporting local farmers and Indigenous communities. These groups argue that sustainable practices and community-led agriculture would be more effective in ensuring long-term food and energy security while preserving Indonesia’s remaining forests. More