Pupuk Assistance For The Fisheries Sector Drops 50 Percent This Year, KKP Reveals Its Obstacles

Illustration fertilizer (photo: Antara)

Director General of Fisheries Budi Daya of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Tb Haeru Rahayu said that his party will provide 250 tons of non-subsidized fertilizer assistance for the fisheries sector in 2024.

The fertilizer aid decreased by 50 percent from the amount distributed last year.

"Even this year, the number (of distributions) is shrinking by 50 percent, only 250 tons. With almost the same distribution in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi," said the man who is familiarly called Tebe when Commission IV DPR RI RDP with Echelon 1 Ministry of Agriculture, Director General of Fisheries Budi Daya KKP and President Director of PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta, Wednesday, June 19.

Tebe said the distribution of fertilizer aid would be given to 500 fish cultivators in a number of countries.

For Sumatra Island itself, KKP will distribute 14 tons of non-subsidized fertilizer assistance, namely 11.5 tons in Aceh and 3.5 tons in Lampung.

Then for Java Island, KKP will distribute 174.5 tons of non-subsidized fertilizer assistance, with 5 tons of West Java, 41.5 tons of Central Java and 128 tons of East Java. Next, there is 10 tons of West Nusa Tenggara.

Then for Kalimantan Island, the assistance for non-subsidized fertilizer that will be disbursed by the KKP is 7.5 tons, with coverage of Central Kalimantan with 1 ton, South Kalimantan with 4.5 tons and North Kalimantan with 2 tons.

As for Sulawesi Island, KKP will distribute 44 tons of non-subsidized fertilizer assistance, with a coverage of Southeast Sulawesi as much as 28.5 tons, West Sulawesi as much as 3 tons and Central Sulawesi as much as 3.5 tons.

Furthermore, there is the South Sulawesi region with a total of 6.5 tons and North Sulawesi which reaches 2.5 tons.

According to Tebe, there are two obstacles in managing fertilizers for fish cultivators. First, there is no legal umbrella for subsidized fertilizer management in the fisheries sector. Then secondly, there is a shortage of fertilizer availability for fish cultivators.

"There is a shortage of non-subsidized fertilizer available in the market. It turns out that for a small amount, it is a bit difficult for us to get it," said Tebe.

In addition, Tebe continued, his party is also still experiencing a shortage of budget allocations for the distribution of non-subsidized fertilizers.

Thus, asking Commission IV of the DPR RI, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (Kemenko Perekonomian) and the Ministry of State Secretariat to support the provision of a legal umbrella that includes the fertilizer category for traditional cultivators into the fertilizer subsidy program.

"Thus, subsidized fertilizer for fish cultivators can be re-allocated in the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN)," he added.