Purwokerto, January 2, 2024 - On the second day of the year 2024, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) immediately kicked into high gear to ensure the maximum success of the early planting season in 2024. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), Pupuk Indonesia continues to enhance distribution, maintain fertilizer availability, and encourage farmers to purchase and redeem fertilizer earlier.

Director of Marketing at Pupuk Indonesia, Tri Wahyudi Saleh, stated that Pupuk Indonesia is ready to provide full support for the acceleration of the planting season program, including expediting the distribution of subsidized fertilizers. In early 2024, Pupuk Indonesia ensures that subsidized fertilizers are available at all outlets and can be redeemed by registered farmers.

Tri appreciates farmers who have redeemed subsidized fertilizers earlier in 2024. This ensures that subsidized fertilizers can be immediately utilized by farmers, especially those cultivating strategic national commodities such as rice, corn, soybeans, and others. Therefore, Pupuk Indonesia continues to maintain the availability of subsidized fertilizers according to the government's assignment and increase the availability of non-subsidized fertilizers in various existing and commercial outlets.

"As a state-owned enterprise mandated by the government to contribute to improving agricultural productivity and national food security, we provide full support for the success of this planting season. Not only by ensuring the smooth distribution of subsidized fertilizers but also by facilitating access to both subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers," said Tri during the Fertilizer Bazaar event in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (2/01/2024).

As part of Pupuk Indonesia's efforts to expedite the distribution of subsidized fertilizers, to ease farmers' access to purchase non-subsidized fertilizers, and to promote its products, Pupuk Indonesia organized a Fertilizer Bazaar attended by around 50,000 farmers at GOR Satria, Purwokerto, Central Java. Through the Fertilizer Bazaar, Pupuk Indonesia hopes farmers can benefit not only from the availability of fertilizers but also from more advantageous pricing.

In addition to facilitating fertilizer access, during the Fertilizer Bazaar, Pupuk Indonesia also conducted socialization and education on fertilization doses by introducing the Soil Testing Mobile Unit. As a research tool, the Soil Testing Mobile Unit has the ability to examine and analyze soil samples, providing specific recommendations for fertilization, taking into account both location and crop specificity. This allows farmers to perform precision fertilization with optimal productivity.

In the same location, Pupuk Indonesia also promoted the MAKMUR Program. This program is not only about fertilization but also empowers farmers through intensive mentoring, access to capital, risk protection, and market guarantees. With these steps, Pupuk Indonesia aims to ensure that agricultural productivity and food security continue to improve, bringing positive impacts to farmers and local communities.

Meanwhile, as of December 31, 2023, the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers totaled 1,744,302 tons. This figure consists of 1,215,280 tons of subsidized fertilizers and 529,022 tons of non-subsidized fertilizers. The breakdown includes 783,317 tons of subsidized urea and 431,963 tons of subsidized NPK. Meanwhile, non-subsidized urea amounts to 436,984 tons, and non-subsidized NPK is 92,038 tons. The availability of subsidized fertilizer stock has reached 236 percent of the minimum stock stipulated by the government.

To support fertilizer distribution to farmers, especially in the Central Java region, Pupuk Indonesia has provided comprehensive distribution facilities. These facilities include 78 level 3 warehouses, 238 distributors, and 5,075 official kiosks. As a supervisory measure, Pupuk Indonesia has also assigned 70 field officers responsible for technical coordination with various parties in the field.

"We are committed to fulfilling the government's mandate in meeting the fertilizer needs of farmers across Indonesia by ensuring that subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers are adequately available at official outlets and through new kiosks," added Tri."