Assessing the paddy fields conversion using optical satellite imageries: A case study in Karawang Regency, West Java

Abstract

Abstract Paddy fields are the most crucial agricultural land-use in Indonesia that supporting national food security. Such lands have been experienced a massive change in their dynamics, specifically in rice production home, West Java. Karawang paddy fields notably become the major victim of land-use change along with rapid economic growth, development, and population pressure. This study aimed to assess paddy fields’ conversion dynamic and how land-use change contributes to this issue in Karawang. Remote sensing techniques and satellite images were used for investigation across the Karawang Regency. Three kinds of satellite image datasets of Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 8 OLI, and Sentinel 2 during the periods of 2009, 2014, and 2019 were analyzed. The results revealed that land-use change impacted paddy fields conversion significantly. Karawang regency lost 16346.77 ha or 8.54 % of its paddy fields throughout the study period. Such farmlands declined by 8639.84 ha (4.51%) and 7706.93 ha (4.02%) between 2009 -2014 and 2014 to 2019, respectively. The conversion of paddy fields to build areas, including road infrastructures, is approximately 14536.21 ha, representing 57.98% of the total paddy fields converted. It concluded that paddy fields had faced massive conversion over the last ten years driven by conversion into buildup areas due to the increased land demand, i.e., residential, commercial, and industrial activities.