TUBAN - PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) supports the Accelerated Planting program initiated by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, Andi Amran Sulaiman. The program aims to increase agricultural productivity and reduce rice imports. The Deputy CEO of Pupuk Indonesia, Gusrizal, stated that the company supports the program by preparing subsidized fertilizer stocks. Currently, the subsidized fertilizer stock available is 1,135,727 tons. This includes 785,050 tons of Urea fertilizer, 341,705 tons of NPK fertilizer, and 8,972 tons of NPK formula specifically for cocoa.

"The quantity exceeds the government's minimum requirements and can meet the allocation of subsidized fertilizer for the next three weeks," said Gusrizal while accompanying Minister Amran Sulaiman in the villages of Ngadipuro and Ngadirejo, Widang Subdistrict, Tuban Regency, East Java, on Thursday (23/11/2023).

To support the availability of subsidized fertilizer stocks, Pupuk Indonesia is backed by distribution facilities such as 15 packaging and distribution centers, 13 ships with 222 sea transportation routes, 8,131 land transportation fleets, 581 warehouses with a capacity of 2.89 million tons, has 1,068 distributor networks, and 26,155 official kiosk partners.In addition to the readiness of distribution facilities, Gusrizal revealed that several directors of Pupuk Indonesia also visited various regions. This activity is carried out to assess the readiness of distributor warehouses and kiosks. The goal is to ensure the readiness of subsidized fertilizer stocks during the planting season at the end of 2023.

"Today, several directors also went to the field, some to Gorontalo and Jambi. While I went to East Java. Based on our field observations, subsidized fertilizer stocks are available according to regulations, from buffer warehouses, distributors, to kiosks," said Gusrizal.

During these visits, Pupuk Indonesia reiterated to distributors and kiosk owners to always distribute subsidized fertilizer according to regulations. This includes compliance with the highest retail price (HET), volume distribution, and ensuring that subsidized fertilizer is distributed to registered farmers. Therefore, Gusrizal emphasized that subsidized fertilizer is distributed to farmers in accordance with government regulations.

According to Minister of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) Number 10 of 2022, to receive subsidized fertilizer, farmers must be members of farmer groups, registered in the Agriculture Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN), and cultivate a maximum of two hectares of land. In addition, the government has also designated nine strategic commodities eligible for fertilizer subsidies, including rice, corn, soybeans, chili, shallots, garlic, coffee, sugarcane, and cocoa. These nine commodities are strategic agricultural commodities that impact inflation rates, thus prioritized to enhance the effectiveness of fertilizer subsidies.

"For farmers not yet registered as recipients of subsidized fertilizer, Pupuk Indonesia has prepared a solution. Through our subsidiary, Pupuk Indonesia provides quality non-subsidized fertilizer to enhance agricultural productivity," he explained."