Fake Fertilizer Circulating In Situbondo, Agriculture Service Conducts Sample Test

SITUBONDO - The Department of Agriculture and Food Security (Dispertangan) of Situbondo Regency, East Java, took the NPK Phonska subsidy fertilizer sample to the laboratory of Universitas Brawijaya Malang and the East Java Provincial Agriculture Service to confirm whether it was fake or genuine.

Head of the Dispertangan Counseling Division of Situbondo Regency Muhammad Zaini said subsidized NPK fertilizer samples were brought to the laboratory after news circulated online media reports that the findings of NPK fertilizers were suspected to be fake.

"Today we are leaving for Universitas Brawijaya Malang, carrying a subsidized NPK fertilizer sample, from a fertilizer kiosk that sells to farmers. We hope that we will immediately confirm whether it is fake or not," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 26.

A few days ago, he continued, it was widely reported through online media that there was an NPK subsidy fertilizer that was allegedly fake circulating in Bungatan District.

After knowing and receiving this information, the local Dispertangan together with the Pupuk and Pesticide Supervisory Commission (KP3) moved to the location and took samples of the allegedly fake fertilizer.

In addition to conducting laboratory tests at Universitas Brawijaya, Dispertangan also sent the fertilizer samples to the East Java Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Service, and it is estimated that it will take up to one month.

Zaini added that the results of laboratory tests would later be submitted to the Situbondo Pupuk and Pesticide Supervisory Commission (KP3), as a recommendation to law enforcement officials to carry out further investigations if the fertilizer was fake.

He also appealed to the public, if the results of laboratory tests state that the alleged counterfeit fertilizer is really fake, then the public is asked to report it to law enforcement officials.

However, he ensured that NPK-type subsidy fertilizer in Situbondo would be distributed in July 2023 with the latest edition with a distribution permit until April 2028 with a fertilizer stock of 945 tons stored in the Buffer Warehouse of Kalibagor Village, Situbondo District.