Abstract

Indonesia is an agricultural country with abundant natural wealth and a strategic geographical position in which the agricultural sector is one of the sectors affecting its economy. However, along with the dynamics of development marked by economic and demographic growth in Indonesia, the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural land is increasing. Therefore, the government is trying to suppress the conversion of agricultural land by issuing Law Number 41 of 2009 concerning the Protection of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (PLP2B). Sukabumi Regency, one of the regencies in West Java, has established Regional Regulation Number 08 of 2014 regarding the Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B). This policy, in its implementation, is strongly influenced by the commitment of stakeholders and the readiness of farmers. This study aims to analyze farmers' responses to the implementation of LP2B in seven villages in the Sukabumi Regency. Data was collected by interviewing 36 farmers divided into six clusters based on the distribution of LP2B locations and later analyzed descriptively. The results show that most farmers in lowland areas and close to densely populated settlements were dominated by sharecroppers who did not understand LP2B. In contradiction, farmers in mountainous areas and far from dense settlements mostly understand the LP2B policies. The differences in farmers' knowledge are affected by physiographic conditions and the presence of farmer groups in each location. For further recommendation, it is necessary to disseminate the policy evenly and strengthen farmer groups.

Keywords: agriculture, land conversion, LP2B, policy, farmer