Entering The Plant Season, Pupuk Indonesia Has Distributed 6.6 Million Tons Of Subsidized Fertilizer

PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) entered the planting season, successfully distributing 6.6 million tons of subsidized fertilizer to registered farmers throughout Indonesia. (Doc. ANTARA/HO-PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero)

PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) has entered the planting season, successfully distributing 6.6 million tons of subsidized fertilizer to registered farmers throughout Indonesia, since the allocation of subsidized fertilizers in 2024 was added by the Government until the end of November 2024.

"For the realization of subsidized fertilizers, until yesterday, November 26, it has reached 6.6 million tons. This has reached 87.7 percent of our contracts with the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) of the Republic of Indonesia, 7.54 million tons," said Pupuk Indonesia Marketing Director Tri Wahyudi Saleh, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, November 30.

Tri said that the allocation of subsidized fertilizers in early 2024 was only 4.7 million tons. Then the Government increased the budget allocation for subsidized fertilizer production by 9.5 million tons in April.

This addition is an effort by the Government to increase agricultural productivity in order to realize national food security.

The decision was then followed up by regional heads, both governors and regents/mayors throughout Indonesia through the issuance of a decree (SK). The issuance of the new decree was carried out in mid-2024, so that the distribution of subsidized fertilizers experienced a little delay because it was waiting for the issuance of the decrees of each regional head.

The subsidized fertilizers that have been successfully distributed by Pupuk Indonesia and in the hands of farmers consist of Urea as much as 3,361,040 tons, then NPK 3,210,755 tons, and Petroganic organic fertilizer 38,419 tons. Meanwhile, the addendum to the Pupuk Indonesia contract with the Ministry of Agriculture details is 3,621,860 tons and NPK 3,419,661 tons.

Tri also hopes that the remaining fertilizer allocations can be optimized by farmers by the end of 2024 so that they can increase productivity in this planting season. Moreover, the government has made it easier to redeem subsidized fertilizers. Registered farmers simply come to official kiosks by showing their Identity Card (KTP).

"There is still an allocation left, in the October-March planting season, farmers are allowed to be registered to maximize it, because fertilizers are already available in the field," he also said.

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

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

For farmers who meet the requirements as recipients of subsidized fertilizers, but have not been registered in the electronics of the Definitive Plan for Group Needs (e-RDKK), the Government also provides convenience. The farmer is expected to immediately register through farmer groups (poktan) in his area, because e-RDK can be revised every four months of the year.

"For farmers who are not registered as recipients of subsidized fertilizers, because they are not included in the regulations, Pupuk Indonesia has prepared solutions through non-subsidized fertilizers which can also be obtained at kiosks," concluded Tri.