Jokowi Calls The Government Prepares Subsidies And Assistance For Fertilizer Dongkrak For Rice Production In 2024

Screenshot - President Joko Widodo when delivering a statement while attending the Padi Bersama Plant agenda in Banyumas, Central Java, Wednesday (3/1/2024). (ANTARA/Andi Firdaus)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the government had prepared a subsidy scheme to provide fertilizer assistance to boost rice production during the harvest period from March to April 2024. "I want to make sure that in early January everything starts planting, because it has rained, the water needs have been fulfilled from the rain," said President Jokowi while attending the Padi Bersama Plant agenda in Banyumas, Central Java, Wednesday, January 3. President Jokowi said the Indonesian agricultural sector must boost rice production achievements in March-April 2024, through the planting process which began in December 2023 on a rice field area of 1.4 million hectares, January 2024 on a land of 1.7 million hectares, then in February 1.4 million hectares. To achieve this target, continued Jokowi, the government has met the fertilizer needs of 1.7 million tons from PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero). "I think it is sufficient and we hope that there will be no more complaints for fertilizer," said President Jokowi. In addition, President Jokowi has also asked the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) and the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) to apply for additional fertilizer subsidies of Rp. 14 trillion to the Indonesian House of Representatives. On that occasion, President Jokowi also ensured that there were no complaints about diesel fuel for the needs of tractors to hijack rice fields. Regarding complaints surrounding sedimentation blockages on rice fields irrigation facilities in the Banyumas agricultural area, President Jokowi has ordered the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) to overcome these obstacles. "Earlier, there were also complaints about irrigation matters that were already high in the dam. Later, the Minister of Public Works will do it as soon as possible," said President Jokowi.

Also accompanying President Jokowi on the agenda were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhajir Effendy, Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and the relevant regional officials.