Bulog-Pupuk Indonesia Synergy Absorbs Grain, Strengthens Food Security

Perum Bulog East Java Regional Office together with PT Pupuk Indonesia attended a harvest activity in Sumberejo Village, Ambulu District, Jember Regency, Thursday (1/5/2025). (ANTARA)

The synergy between Perum Bulog and PT Pupuk Indonesia Regional 3 East Java absorbs grain from farmers' harvests in Sumberejo Village, Jember Regency to strengthen national food security.

The Head of Perum Bulog for the East Java Regional Office, Langgeng Wisnu, together with Regional Manager Sales 3 East Java, PT. Pupuk Indonesia Saroyo Utomo W was present at a harvest activity in Sumberejo Village, Ambulu District, Jember Regency, Thursday.

"The harvest yield was purchased by Perum Bulog Jember Branch Office for Rp. 6,500 per kilogram and from the sale of the grain, farmers immediately obtained a subsidized fertilizer purchase facility at a price according to the fixed retail price (HET)," said Langgeng Wisnu.

According to him, this activity is part of a synergy program between Perum Bulog and PT Pupuk Indonesia in supporting the sustainable acceleration of farmers' production and maintaining national food security.

The move was greeted enthusiastically by farmers because it provided certainty of favorable grain prices and direct access to the market. The absorption of grain farmers not only maintains prices at the farm level, but also strengthens national food stocks.

"We have set the Rp6,500 per kilogram price to protect farmers from fluctuating market price pressures, while strengthening national food security," he said.

Some of the money from the sale of unhulled rice by farmers was used to buy subsidized fertilizer at prices according to the Highest Retail Price (HET) thanks to strategic cooperation with PT Pupuk Indonesia.

"With this mechanism, farmers can access fertilizers at a more efficient price, so that production costs in the next planting season can be reduced," he said.

Meanwhile, Sales Regional Manager 3 East Java PT. Pupuk Indonesia Saroyo Utomo W said that the current position of fertilizer stock is 290 percent of the minimum stock, so it is very ready to supply fertilizer availability, especially East Java for the next four months.

"Currently we have entered the second planting season, especially in Ambulu District, so we collaborated with Perum Bulog of the East Java Regional Office. The Bulog team has absorbed the grain at a very good price, we also ensure that after farmers hold sufficient funds, they can redeem the fertilizer according to the Highest Retail Price (HET)," said Saroyo.

"It is important that we convey that PT. Pupuk Indonesia is committed to maintaining the highest retail price (HET) at the farmer level. It has been proven that all farmers get fertilizer according to HET," he said.

The harvest activity was also attended by Perum Bulog Kanwil East Java, Perum Bulog Jember Branch Office, PT. Pupuk Indonesia Regional 3 East Java, and Kodim 0824 Jember.

"This collaboration is expected to be a model of strengthening integrated agriculture that supports productivity, cost efficiency, and improving the welfare of farmers," he said.

With such an upstream-downstream approach, he continued, the agricultural ecosystem in the regions can be more independent, efficient, and ready to face the challenges of food security in the future.