JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan), Andi Amran Sulaiman, revealed that as many as 27 companies were suspected of being involved in cases of counterfeit fertilizer circulation.
Of these, four companies have been prosecuted, while the other 23 sell fertilizers that do not comply with the standards set by the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan).
"There is fake fertilizer, this is very disturbing to our farmers. Of the 27 companies, we have handed over four to law enforcement," said Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran after meeting Attorney General ST Burhanuddin at the Attorney General's Office, Monday, December 16.
According to Andi, the actions of these companies have caused huge losses to farmers. The total loss is estimated at IDR 3.2 trillion, with a detrimental impact of around 100 thousand farmers and their families.
"This loss is not only for the state, but also very detrimental to farmers and their families. If it is calculated with their families, there are around 400 thousand people affected," he said.
Andi did not mention in detail the names of these companies, but emphasized the importance of strict law enforcement to provide a deterrent effect. "We hope that these companies will be punished severely because this involves the lives of our farmers," he continued.
The Minister of Agriculture also emphasized the importance of fertilizer in supporting food self-sufficiency targets, according to President Prabowo Subianto's direction. In 2024, the government will increase the distribution of subsidized fertilizers, with a budget of up to IDR 50 trillion, a significant increase compared to the previous year.
"Pupuk subsidi diberikan penuh, bahkan ditambah allokasinya agar target self-sumbada pangan bisa dicapai lebih cepat," jelasnya.
In addition to taking action against counterfeit fertilizer companies, the Ministry of Agriculture has also removed 11 of its employees who are suspected of being involved in the procurement and distribution of counterfeit fertilizers. Deactivated employees include directors, echelon II and III officials, as well as related staff.
"We have asked for a letter of dismissal for these 11 people starting today. We will tolerate anyone who plays with the distribution of fertilizers," said Andi.
With assistance from the Attorney General's Office, it is hoped that supervision of the distribution of fertilizers can be stricter to ensure that the fertilizers given to farmers are truly quality and according to standards.
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