Through Pupuk Indonesia, the Government Ensures Fertilizer Availability for Karanganyar Farmers, January 10, 2024 - Agriculture is a sector that significantly contributes to Indonesia's economy. The success of this sector is inseparable from the services of farmers who have worked hard to support national food security. To maintain the contribution of the agricultural sector, the Government continues to ensure the availability of both subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers.

President Joko Widodo's administration has a strong commitment to farmers, demonstrated through the fertilizer subsidy program, with an annual allocation of approximately IDR 25 trillion by the Government to help farmers access affordable fertilizers. In 2024, the Government plans to increase the fertilizer subsidy allocation by IDR 14 trillion to benefit even more farmers.

Not stopping there, the Government has also simplified the mechanism for redeeming subsidized fertilizers, allowing it with just the National Identity Card (Kartu Tanda Penduduk or KTP). This is expected to be utilized by all farmers to meet their fertilizer needs. Saifullan Lasindrang, the Finance and General Director of PT Pupuk Sriwidjaja Palembang, stated that the Government not only provides subsidized fertilizers to farmers but also guarantees the availability of non-subsidized fertilizers.

"The Government, through Pupuk Indonesia, ensures fertilizer availability throughout Indonesia, both subsidized and non-subsidized. The Government assists in obtaining fertilizers easily to support the acceleration of the planting season in early 2024," said Saifullah.

To ensure fertilizer availability, the Government, specifically the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and the Ministry of Agriculture through Pupuk Indonesia, is conducting the "Gebyar Diskon Pupuk" (Fertilizer Discount Spectacle) program in various cities/districts during January to February 2024, including in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday (10/02/2024).

"During this planting season, the government has made various efforts to support farmers to achieve optimal results in the upcoming harvest season. The 2024 Fertilizer Discount Spectacle is organized by Pupuk Indonesia in collaboration with the government in various cities from January to February 2024. This series of events aims to ensure the availability of farmer's fertilizers and provide ease for farmers to obtain fertilizers during this planting season," said Saifullah.

During the Fertilizer Discount Spectacle, the Government has assigned Pupuk Indonesia to meet the demand for non-subsidized fertilizers and encourage farmers to promptly redeem fertilizers, including by preparing non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices. The Government also consistently ensures the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizer stocks, such as by conducting working visits to several agricultural centers. As of December 31, 2023, the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers is recorded at 1,744,302 tons, or equivalent to 236 percent of the minimum stock determined by the Government. This stock includes 1,215,280 tons of subsidized fertilizers and 529,022 tons of non-subsidized fertilizers.

"Pupuk Indonesia is implementing the Fertilizer Discount Spectacle program in line with the government's encouragement for farmers to enjoy non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices, thus helping to increase agricultural productivity and the welfare of farmers. Hopefully, this program can encourage farmers to plant earlier so that the success of this early planting season can be collectively harvested in April," concluded Saifullah.