Grobogan, January 15, 2024 - Agriculture is a sector that plays a significant role in the Indonesian economy. The success of this sector is attributed to the services of farmers who have worked hard to support national food security. In order to maintain the contribution of the agricultural sector, the government continues to ensure the availability of fertilizers, both subsidized and non-subsidized.

President Joko Widodo's administration shows a strong commitment to farmers, particularly through the fertilizer subsidy program, with an annual allocation of around IDR 25 trillion provided by the government to assist farmers in obtaining affordable fertilizers. In 2024, the government plans to increase the subsidy allocation to IDR 14 trillion to benefit an even greater number of farmers with subsidized fertilizers.

Not stopping there, the government also simplifies the mechanism for redeeming subsidized fertilizers by using only the National Identity Card (KTP). This is expected to be utilized by all farmers to meet their fertilizer needs.

Bob Indiarto, the Production Director of PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), 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 the availability of fertilizers throughout Indonesia, both subsidized and non-subsidized. The government helps to easily obtain fertilizers to support the acceleration of planting seasons in early 2024," Bob explained.

To maintain fertilizer availability, the government, particularly the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and the Ministry of Agriculture through Pupuk Indonesia, organizes the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza program in various cities and regencies throughout January and February 2024.

"During this planting season, the government has made various efforts to support farmers in achieving optimal yields in the upcoming harvest season. The 2024 Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza is organized by Pupuk Indonesia, in collaboration with the government, in 30 cities during January and February 2024. This series of events aims to ensure the availability of farmers' fertilizers and provide convenience for farmers to obtain fertilizers in this planting season," said Bob.

During the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza, the government assigns Pupuk Indonesia to meet the demand for non-subsidized fertilizers and encourages farmers to promptly redeem fertilizers, including by providing non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices.

The government also consistently ensures the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizer stocks by visiting various agricultural centers. As of December 31, 2023, the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers amounted to 1,744,302 tons or equivalent to 236 percent of the minimum stock set by the government. This stock includes 1,215,280 tons of subsidized fertilizer and 529,022 tons of non-subsidized fertilizer.

"Pupuk Indonesia is implementing the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza program in line with the government's encouragement for farmers to enjoy non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices and help improve 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 harvested together in April," concluded Bob.