Says Pupuk Distribution Policy Expert Directly To Farmers Is Appropriate

Photo illustration. (Doc. Ist)

JAKARTA - The policy of distributing subsidized fertilizer directly to farmers is the right step. This matter was revealed by a public policy expert from the National University, Hilmi Rahman.

According to him, so far the distribution of subsidized fertilizers has become complicated because it has to go through a long bureaucracy.

Hilmi explained that the fertilizer industry in Indonesia is regulated by many complex regulations, with 41 laws, 23 government regulations, and 6 presidential regulations (Perpres) and presidential instructions (Inpres) governing this sector. Simplification of rules and transfer of direct distribution to farmers is considered an effective solution to accelerate targeted access to fertilizers.

"I think this is the right policy. Because so far the distribution of subsidized fertilizers has to go through a long and complicated bureaucracy. So, this can facilitate and accelerate the distribution of fertilizers on target," he told reporters in Jakarta, Friday, November 15, afternoon.

Hilmi stated, in addition to accelerating the achievement of the food self-sufficiency program, the policy also shows President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to improving farmers' welfare

He hopes that Presidential Regulation (Perpres) regarding the distribution of subsidized fertilizers can be issued immediately. This is because this policy will have a direct impact on increasing national food production.

"This policy further shows President Prabowo's commitment to the welfare of our farmers. Therefore, I hope that President Prabowo will immediately issue a Presidential Decree on the distribution of subsidized fertilizers, because this is highly anticipated by farmers," he said.

Previously, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan), Sudaryono, revealed that the government plans to cut 145 regulations related to the distribution of subsidized fertilizers. According to him, this is part of the government's efforts to improve the welfare of farmers and reduce the chain that hinders the distribution of subsidized fertilizers.

The Deputy Minister of Sudaryono or who is familiarly called Mas Dar emphasized that the simplification of the distribution flow of subsidized fertilizers was a concrete step for President Prabowo Subianto in realizing his promise to farmers.

"This is a form of President Prabowo Subianto's commitment during the campaign period yesterday, that we want to prosper the people in the food security sector, one of which is by providing subsidized fertilizer directly to farmers, we want to break the chain that hinders the distribution of subsidized fertilizers," Deputy Minister Sudaryono said in his statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (12/11/2024).

In the new system, fertilizer distribution no longer requires a Decree (SK) from the regional head, but simply with a decree from the Ministry of Agriculture. Thus, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) as a distributor can directly distribute fertilizers to the Farmers Group Association (Gapoktan).