Implementation of the Food Estate in Merauke: Legal Review and Protection of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Bagus Yudha Prawira; Djoko Andoko; Diah Ayu Permatasari; Edy Supriyadi

doi:10.31599/krtha.v19i2.4379

Authors

Bagus Yudha Prawira Sekolah Tinggi Intelijen Negara
Djoko Andoko Sekolah Tinggi Intelijen Negara
Diah Ayu Permatasari Sekolah Tinggi Intelijen Negara
Edy Supriyadi Sekolah Tinggi Intelijen Negara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31599/krtha.v19i2.4379

Keywords:

Legal Protection, Food Estate, merauke, Indigenous People, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Human Rights

Abstract

This study aims This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Food Estate program in Merauke, Papua, which is part of Indonesia’s National Strategic Projects aimed at strengthening food security. However, its execution has raised legal, environmental, and human rights concerns, particularly regarding indigenous peoples’ rights. Using a qualitative-juridical approach, this study examines the program’s alignment with Indonesia’s legal framework, including the Basic Agrarian Law, Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, Village Law, and Papua’s Special Autonomy Law. The findings indicate systemic neglect of customary land right, the principle of Free, Prior, and FPIC, and meaningful community participation. The study also identifies serious ecological impacts, militarization of land acquisition, and practices of food colonization. It concludes by recommending stronger legal enforcement, recognition of indigenous land rights, demilitarization of development processes, and policy designs that prioritize local food sovereignty.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Antaranews. (2023, Oktober 10). Airlangga: 'Food Estate' di Merauke akan jadi kawasan ekonomi khusus. Antara News.z

Batbual, A., & Saturi, S. (2024, Agustus 7). Proyek tebu Merauke, ingatkan risiko lingkungan dan pelanggaran HAM. Mongabay Indonesia.

CELIOS. (2024). Vanishing forests, soaring emissions: The Merauke Food Estate accelerates the climate crisis [Research Report]. CELIOS.

Down to Earth. (2012, Mei). Rencana besar untuk Papua. Down to Earth Indonesia.

Ginting, L., & Pye, O. (2013). Resisting agribusiness development: The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate in West Papua, Indonesia. ASEAS – Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, 6(1), 160–182.

Ihsan, M., Zakaria, Y., Abdullah, A., & Rumbekwan, R. (2021). Tinjauan implementasi program food estate dan dampaknya terhadap masyarakat lokal di Kabupaten Merauke. Forum Penelitian Agro Ekonomi, 39(1), 1–15.

Krisnadi, L. A., & Wijanarko, A. F. (2024). Epistemicide in the Indonesian Food Estate project in a critical approach of Boaventura de Sousa Santos. Digital Press Social Sciences and Humanities, 11, 00008.

Makuba, N. (2024, August 21). Indigenous Peoples in South Papua suffer due to the National Strategic Project. Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara.

Marwanto, S., & Pangestu, F. (2021). Food Estate program in Central Kalimantan Province as an integrated and sustainable solution for food security in Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 794, 012068.

Papua Betahita. (2024, Oktober 17). Masdani, Y. Merauke Menolak Babak Belur Karena Food Estate.

Papua Betahita. (2024). Masdani, Y. Merauke Menolak Babak Belur Karena Food Estate.

Pusaka Bentala Rakyat. (2024). PSN Merauke: Poros Konflik Hutan dan Agraria. Report for Regenwald eV.

Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Nomor 35/PUU-X/2012. (2012).

Solapari, N., Nazhiah, A., Adzkia, Z., Niluh, R., & Gracella, L. (2024). Program food estate dan perlindungan hak masyarakat di Merauke. Jurnal Inovasi Global, 3(12), 2080–2098

Trisista, R. G. M., Mintarsih, M., & Fauza, A. S. (2025). Diving deeper into Indonesia Food Estate policy: Its impact on local community rights and policy comparison within other countries. In E. Lisdyono et al. (Eds.),98 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference Changing of Business Law (ICOCLB 2024). https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-356-6_42

Trisista, R. G. M., Mintarsih, M., & Fauza, A. S. (2025). Diving deeper into Indonesia Food Estate policy: Its impact on local community rights and policy comparison within other countries. In E. Lisdyono et al. (Eds.),98 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference Changing of Business Law (ICOCLB 2024).

Undang-Undang Nomor 21 Tahun 2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus Bagi Provinsi Papua. (2001).

Undang-Undang Nomor 32 Tahun 2009 tentang Perlindungan dan Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup. (2009).

Undang-Undang Nomor 39 Tahun 1999 tentang Hak Asasi Manusia. (1999).

Undang-Undang Nomor 5 Tahun 1960 tentang Peraturan Dasar Pokok-Pokok Agraria. (1960).

Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2014 tentang Desa. (2014).

Universitas Indonesia. (n.d.). Prinsip free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) dalam pelaksanaan pembangunan di Masyarakat Samin, Jawa Tengah. Perpustakaan Universitas Indonesia.

Walhi. (2021). Food Estate di Papua: Perampasan Ruang Berkedok Ketahanan Pangan.