Rapid land use conversion driven by tourism development is increasingly threatening traditional agricultural systems in Bali, raising concerns over environmental sustainability, food security, and the future of local livelihoods.
These concerns were highlighted during a public discussion held on Thursday, 11 December 2025, alongside the screening of a short documentary titled “Bali: Alam atau Uang?, organized by PlastikDetox at Dharma Negara Alaya, Denpasar.
The event brought together farmers, academics, journalists, and civil society representatives to discuss the accelerating conversion of agricultural land – particularly subak, Bali’s traditional irrigation and farming system – into tourism infrastructure.
“Massive land conversion targeting subak agriculture has become deeply worrying,” said documentary producer Putu Oka Astama Adi Putra.
In Subak Jatiluwih alone, only 227.41 hectares remain active out of the original 303 hectares. The existence of subak is increasingly compromised to accommodate tourism development that demands large amounts of space.
Environmental and Social Impacts
Subak is internationally recognized as a cultural heritage system rooted in Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese philosophy emphasizing harmony between humans, nature, and spirituality. However, speakers noted that land conversion has weakened this balance, with impacts extending beyond agriculture.
According to the discussion, reduced green open spaces have contributed to environmental risks such as flooding, while the loss of farmland has undermined local food systems and farmer livelihoods.
Gusti Wayan Danu, Secretary of Subak Intaran and a farmer directly affected by land conversion, challenged the assumption that tourism always offers better economic prospects.
Tourism does not always guarantee the prosperity people imagine. The ones who become rich are often not the workers. As farmers, we can earn the same, or sometimes more, than working as laborers in tourism.
Structural and Policy Challenges
Academic perspectives during the discussion pointed to structural issues that exacerbate land conversion. Dr. Sumiyati, a lecturer from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at Udayana University, highlighted land ownership fragmentation and weak inter-agency coordination as key challenges.
Protecting subak cannot focus only on the land, the farmers, or the organization - it must also include protecting the water sources.
Journalist I Gusti Ayu Nyoman Septiari of BaleBengong observed recurring patterns in land conversion cases across Bali. “There are three things we almost always find: economic pressure on farmers, business actors using OSS permits to build in subak areas, and delayed enforcement,” she said. Septiari also questioned the lack of clear responsibility in encouraging younger generations to remain invested in agriculture.
Opening Space for Public Dialogue
Beyond highlighting the issue, the event aimed to create a space for dialogue and collaboration. PlastikDetox stated that the discussion sought to strengthen public understanding of subak as both an ecological and cultural system, while encouraging cross-sector efforts to protect it.
Oka stressed that the documentary was not intended to romanticize rice fields, but to present the reality facing Bali today. “Subak is not just a backdrop for tourism photos,” he said. “It is a social and ecological system that has maintained balance in Bali for hundreds of years, and that balance is now at a critical point,” he added
The organizers expressed hope that discussions like these would contribute to stronger public awareness, cross-sector collaboration, and policy interventions that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term economic gains.
As land use conversion continues across the island, the discussion underscored a central question for Bali’s future: whether development can move forward without sacrificing the systems that have sustained the island for generations.
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