Implementation Procedure for the Subdivision of Land Ownership Certificates in Protected Paddy Field Areas at the Karangasem Regency ATR/BPN Office

Abstract

Land is an agrarian resource that possesses economic, social, cultural, and ecological functions. Therefore, its administration must balance individual rights with the public interest. One of the land administration services provided by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) is the subdivision of Freehold Title Certificates   However, such services cannot be freely implemented on land designated as Protected Rice Field Areas because they must comply with sustainable agricultural land protection policies.This study aims to analyze the implementation procedures for the subdivision of Freehold Title Certificates within Protected Rice Field Areas at the ATR/BPN Office of Karangasem Regency and to examine the obstacles encountered along with the efforts made to overcome them. This research employs normative legal research supported by empirical legal research using statutory, conceptual, and empirical approaches. Data were collected through library research, interviews, and documentation and analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods.The results indicate that the subdivision procedure has generally complied with prevailing land registration regulations. Nevertheless, applications concerning Protected Rice Field Areas are subject to specific legal restrictions to prevent agricultural land fragmentation and land conversion. The main obstacles include inconsistencies in legal substance, limited inter-agency coordination, inadequate public legal awareness, and economic pressures encouraging land conversion. Improvement efforts include strengthening institutional coordination, harmonizing regulations, enhancing public legal education, and reinforcing supervision in land administration services.