Assessing Agrarian Reform as a Structural Solution to Plantation Land Conflicts in West Java and Bengkulu, Indonesia

Plantations have been a cornerstone of Indonesia’s economy since the colonial era, driving economic growth while simultaneously triggering social and environmental challenges. This study examines the structural agrarian conflicts arising from plantation expansion, focusing on land disputes between communities and plantation companies in West Java and Bengkulu. Using a qualitative approach, the research employs in-depth interviews, media analysis, and document reviews to analyze the root causes and persistence of these conflicts. Findings reveal that historical land dispossession, unequal resource distribution, and weak legal recognition of customary land rights perpetuate tensions. While private plantations have adopted partnership models to mitigate conflicts, state-owned plantations (PTPN) face bureaucratic hurdles in land redistribution. The study highlights the ineffectiveness of current agrarian reform policies, particularly the Agrarian Reform Task Force (GTRA), due to limited local government engagement and funding. Recommendations include strengthening GTRA’s role, integrating village funds for agrarian reform, and adopting restorative approaches to resolve historical injustices. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable land governance by emphasizing the intersection of policy, corporate accountability, and community rights in Indonesia’s plantation sector.