The role of notaries in obtaining permits for agricultural land conversion

Abstract

One of the government’s efforts to protect productive agricultural land is by regulating Land Use Conversion Permit (LUCP). This permit must be obtained by every citizen wanting to convert agricultural land into non-agricultural land. This study aims at analysing the role of the notary in obtaining LUCP to convert agricultural land into a residential area and its relation to the sustainability of food agricultural lands in Indonesia. This research uses a normative juridical approach. The results show that applying permission to convert agricultural land to non-agricultural land is submitted to the Office of the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (AASP/NLA). The role of a Notary and Land Deed Officer in converting agricultural land to non-agricultural land, as stipulated in the Notary Law, is to provide guidance or counselling on legal matters to any individual in any condition. So, LUCP concerning the conversion of agricultural land is one of the government’s efforts to protect sustainable food agricultural lands. Notaries/LDOs should continuously provide counselling regarding the importance of land use management by complying with the laws and regulations to maintain, control, and protect agricultural land so that the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural land can be minimized.