JAMBI - PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) is ensuring the supply of subsidized fertilizers in the province of Jambi by preparing a stock of 5,455 tons. This inventory reflects the company's commitment to optimizing the absorption of subsidized fertilizers as the planting season approaches. Director of Production at Pupuk Indonesia, Bob Indiarto (third from the left on this picture's article), conveyed this information while inspecting the company's readiness for the planting season in the province of Jambi on Friday (11/24/2023).

Bob revealed that, as of November 21st, 2023, the stock consists of 1,866 tons of Urea fertilizer and 3,589 tons of NPK fertilizer. This quantity exceeds the minimum allocation set by the government, ensuring an adequate supply of subsidized fertilizers for the province of Jambi for the next three weeks. The stock of subsidized fertilizers is currently located in Level III warehouses or district/city-level storage facilities.

"As we enter the planting season, we, at Pupuk Indonesia, assess the company's preparedness in the field by visiting warehouses, distributors, and kiosks in various regions in Indonesia, including Jambi. We also visit farmers and the local government to ensure conditions in the field. Based on our observations, the company is ready to ensure the success of the planting season," said Bob during a visit to the Fertilizer Buffer Warehouse (GPP) in South Jambi District, Jambi City.

He also disclosed that, to facilitate the smooth distribution of subsidized fertilizers in eleven districts/cities, Pupuk Indonesia has prepared several facilities in Jambi. These include five 3rd line warehouses, with two of them located in Jambi City, and the rest in Merangin, Tebo, and Kerinci Regency. Additionally, Pupuk Indonesia has 17 distributors and 305 complete fertilizer stalls scattered across various regions in the province of Jambi.

"Pupuk Indonesia also has three field agents ready to assist in the subsidized fertilizer distribution process and ensure that all eligible farmers receive subsidized fertilizers in accordance with regulations," said Bob.

Meanwhile, throughout 2023, the government has allocated e-allocation of subsidy fertilizer for 95,019 farmers in the province of Jambi, totaling 44,132 tons. This comprises 20,712 tons of Urea fertilizer and 23,420 tons of subsidized NPK.

Bob also revealed that the uptake of subsidized fertilizers in the province of Jambi until November 20, 2023, has been quite high, with the redemption of subsidized Urea reaching 65 percent or 13,538 tons. Subsequently, the redemption of subsidized NPK reached 17,498 tons or equivalent to 75 percent of the 2023 e-allocation.

In terms of the number of farmers redeeming the fertilizers, approximately 85 percent or 80,928 farmers in the province of Jambi have already redeemed them. Only 15 percent or 14,091 farmers have not yet redeemed the subsidized fertilizers that are rightfully theirs.

"We are currently entering the rainy season, and the Minister of Agriculture is promoting the Accelerated Planting Program to increase rice productivity domestically. We are optimistic that the subsidized fertilizer uptake in Jambi will meet the target by the end of the year," concluded Bob.

Furthermore, he affirmed that not all farmers can receive subsidized fertilizers. Farmers eligible for subsidized fertilizers must meet the criteria outlined in the Minister of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) Number 10 of 2022, including mandatory membership in a farmer group, registration in the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN), and cultivation of a maximum of two hectares. Additionally, strategic commodities eligible for fertilizer subsidies include rice, corn, soybeans, chili, shallots, garlic, coffee, sugarcane, and cocoa.

"For farmers not registered as recipients of subsidized fertilizers, Pupuk Indonesia has prepared a solution through non-subsidized fertilizers. In the same period, Pupuk Indonesia in the province of Jambi has prepared 296 tons of non-subsidized Urea fertilizer and 1,052 tons of non-subsidized NPK. All these fertilizers are also located in Level III warehouses," he concluded."