Deputy Minister Of Supports The Revitalization Of The Fertilizer Industry To Improve Agricultural Productivity

Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono supports the revitalization of the fertilizer industry under the auspices of PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) to increase production efficiency and quality of fertilizers so as to boost agricultural productivity.

"Pupuk Sriwidjaja is a legend. Of course we encourage the repair of tools, so that (this revitalization,) increases efficiency in production activities and produces quality fertilizers, affordable fertilizers. If it is efficient, the cost of production will decrease," said the Deputy Minister. reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 23.

Wamenan said that his party had previously made a visit to Pupuk Sriwidjaja (Pusri) in Palembang, South Sumatra, Thursday, August 22.

According to him, quality fertilizers and adequate availability of fertilizers from modern and efficient factories are needed to increase agricultural productivity.

Moreover, the government has now increased the allocation of subsidized fertilizers from the initial allocation of 2024 of 4.7 million tons to 9.55 million tons, as well as repaired the rain paddy rice fields irrigation system by providing 64,000 pumps throughout Indonesia so that they can plant more than once a year.

"We have checked everywhere, the amount of fertilizer (in 2204) is greater than 2023. This is relatively stable, safe, even a lot of fertilizer is available in retail but has not been absorbed. This is encouraging," said the Deputy Minister.

Meanwhile, Director of Pupuk Indonesia Production Bob Indiarto positively welcomed Wamenan's support in efforts to revitalize the fertilizer industry in the country.

According to Bob, revitalization measures are aligned to support programs to increase national agricultural productivity.

He added that Pupuk Indonesia's commitment to support the government in the national agricultural productivity improvement program was carried out by maintaining stock availability in accordance with regulations.

He said, nationally, as of August 21, 2024, the fertilizer stock reached 1,220,283 tons, consisting of Urea 683,930 tons, NPK Phonska 522,501 tons, and NPK Formula Kakao amounting to 13,852 tons.

This allocation is more than the minimum stipulated by the Government of 363,190 tons or around 263 percent.

"The stock is currently in the line I warehouse (Produsen Block) to the Lini III Warehouse (Regency/City Level). We hope that farmers can optimize the absorption of subsidized fertilizers in the remaining four months to support agricultural productivity," said Bob.

The stock of subsidized fertilizer prepared by Pupuk Indonesia in South Sumatra is 20,796 tons, consisting of a Urea of 10,395 tons, NPK Phonska 10,393 tons, and NPK Formula Kakao as much as 8 tons. The availability of this stock is equivalent to 179 percent of the minimum stock provisions set by the Government.

To facilitate the distribution of subsidized fertilizers in South Sumatra, Pupuk Indonesia has also prepared a number of supporting facilities, including nine Lini III warehouses, 40 Distributors, and 526 official kiosks.

Pupuk Indonesia juga menyiapkan petugas lapangan yang memastikan konstruksi bersubsidi diselurkan dengan tepat sasaran sebanyak 32 orang.

According to him, the redeeming of subsidized fertilizers is now easier. With the application of the i-Pubers application in kiosks, farmers throughout Indonesia only need to bring their ID cards (Popular Cards) to redeem them.

He also explained that Pupuk Indonesia increased supervision of the distribution of subsidized fertilizers because there were provisions to be able to obtain subsidized fertilizers.

He explained that farmers who are entitled to subsidized fertilizers must meet the criteria contained in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture (Permentan) Number 1 of 2024, namely that they must be joined in farmer groups, registered in the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN), working on a maximum land of two hectares.

In addition, strategic commodities that are entitled to receive fertilizer subsidies are limited to nine commodities. These include rice, corn, soybeans, chilies, shallots, garlic, coffee, sugar cane, and cocoa.

"Our stock exceeds the minimum requirement. That way, Pupuk Indonesia is ready to meet the needs of fertilizers in the context of programs to increase agricultural productivity," said Bob.