Tuban, January 27, 2024 - Agriculture is a sector that significantly contributes to the Indonesian 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 fertilizers, both subsidized and non-subsidized.

The government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has a strong commitment to farmers, one of which is through the fertilizer subsidy program, which is allocated around Rp 25 trillion each year by the government to help farmers obtain fertilizers at affordable prices. In 2024, the Government plans to increase the allocation of fertilizer subsidies by Rp 14 trillion so that more farmers can access subsidized fertilizers.

Furthermore, the Government has also simplified the mechanism for redeeming subsidized fertilizers only with the Citizen Identity Card (KTP). This is expected to be utilized by all farmers to meet their fertilizer needs.

Robby Setiabudi Madjid, Director of Finance and General Affairs of Petrokimia Gresik, stated that not only does the Government provide subsidized fertilizers to farmers, but it 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 fertilizers. The Government helps facilitate easy access to fertilizers to support the acceleration program for the planting season at the beginning of 2024," said Robby Setiabudi Madjid.

In order to maintain fertilizer availability, the Government, through the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and the Ministry of Agriculture, through Pupuk Indonesia, held a Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza program in various cities/districts during January to February 2024. Currently, the activities are taking place at the Fertilizer Storage Warehouse (GPP) in Tuban Regency, East Java.

"During this planting season, the government has made various efforts to support farmers so that they can achieve optimal results in the upcoming harvest season. The 2024 Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza is organized by Pupuk Indonesia, in cooperation with the government, in various cities during January to February 2024. This series of events aims to ensure the availability of fertilizer for farmers and provide convenience for farmers to obtain fertilizers in this planting season," said Robby Setiabudi Madjid.

At the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza event, the Government tasked Pupuk Indonesia to meet the needs of non-subsidized fertilizers and encourage farmers to redeem fertilizers promptly, including by providing non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices.

The Government also continually ensures the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizer stocks, including by visiting several agricultural centers. As of January 22, 2024, the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers amounted to 1,988,120 tons or approximately 200 percent of the minimum stock requirement set by the Government. These stock figures consist of 1,395,936 tons of subsidized fertilizers and 592,184 tons of non-subsidized fertilizers.

"Pupuk Indonesia is implementing the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza program in line with the government's encouragement so that farmers can enjoy non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices and help increase agricultural productivity and farmers' welfare. Hopefully, this program can encourage farmers to plant earlier so that we can reap the success of this early planting season together during the April harvest," concluded Robby Setiabudi Madjid.