Using NPK Fertilizer Below 1 Percent Loses IDR 2.3 Trillion Farmers, Minister Of Agriculture Amran Blacklists A Number Of Companies

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman at a press conference on the disclosure of counterfeit fertilizers in Jakarta, Tuesday (26/11/2024). BETWEEN/Muzdaffar Fauzan

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman processed the law of four companies providing counterfeit fertilizers and 23 fertilizer companies that did not comply with standards because they cost farmers up to IDR 3.2 trillion.

Counterfeit and non-standard fertilizer companies were obtained because they had received reports, and immediately conducted laboratory tests which proved that the company only used Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) below 1 percent. Whereas the minimum use of NPK on fertilizers is 15 percent.

"False fertilizers and fertilizers whose specifications are lacking are all detrimental to farmers. We ask that from today (the legal process) be followed up," he said in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, November 26.

In addition to processing the law, Amran also presented a blacklist (blacklist) to company owners. Even though it makes a new company, it will not accept cooperation as a vendor at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Minister Amran explained that the loss figure was calculated based on the average cost of land management issued by farmers in Indonesia, which was IDR 19 million per hectare. So that if it is accumulated from counterfeit fertilizers and fertilizers with low specifications, the total loss will reach IDR 600 billion and IDR 3.2 trillion, respectively.

"Because farmers pay for nursery, fertilizer, land management, and so on. That's approximately Rp. 19 million per hectare," he said.

Furthermore, he said, he had also disabled 11 employees at the Ministry of Agriculture consisting of echelon II and III, as well as employees who processed the fertilizer procurement.

"If necessary, we will send it to law enforcement," he said.

Minister Amran emphasized that his actions were aimed at realizing President Prabowo's Astacita, namely to make food self-sufficiency successful in less than four years.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto believes that Indonesia can realize food self-sufficiency or independence in meeting food needs for its people no later than the next four to five years.

This belief, said Prabowo, arose after discussing with related experts. Therefore, food self-sufficiency must be realized in order to prevent dependence on food for other countries.