Demak, February 1, 2024 - Agriculture is a sector that contributes significantly 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. In order to maintain the contribution of the agricultural sector, the Government continues to ensure the availability of fertilizers, both subsidized and non-subsidized.

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

Not stopping there, the Government also facilitates the mechanism for redeeming subsidized fertilizers only with the Identity Card (KTP). This is expected to be utilized by all farmers in meeting their fertilizer needs.

The Director of Finance of Pupuk Indonesia, Wono Budi Tjahyono (second from the left in the picture), stated that not only providing subsidized fertilizers to farmers, the Government guarantees the availability of non-subsidized fertilizers as well.

"The Government, through Pupuk Indonesia, ensures the availability of fertilizers throughout Indonesia, both subsidized and non-subsidized. The Government assists in obtaining fertilizers easily to support the acceleration program of the planting season in early 2024," expressed Wono Budi Tjahyono.

In order to maintain the availability of fertilizers, the Government, through the Ministry of SOEs and the Ministry of Agriculture, held a Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza program in various cities/districts during January to February 2024. Currently, the activity is being held at the Fertilizer Warehouse (GPP) of Demak Regency, Central Java.

"During this planting season, the Government has made various efforts to support farmers so that they can achieve optimal results at the harvest. The Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza 2024 is organized by Pupuk Indonesia, in collaboration with the Government, in various cities throughout January to February 2024. This series of events aims to ensure the availability of fertilizers for farmers and provide convenience for farmers to obtain fertilizers during this planting season," said Wono Budi Tjahyono.

In the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza event, the Government assigned Pupuk Indonesia to meet the needs of non-subsidized fertilizers and encourage farmers to redeem fertilizers immediately, including by preparing non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices.

The Government also constantly ensures the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizer stocks, including by conducting working visits to several agricultural center regions. As of January 25, 2024, the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers amounted to 1,956,887 tons, or about 200 percent of the minimum stock requirement set by the Government. The stock figures consist of subsidized fertilizers amounting to 1,372,909 tons and non-subsidized fertilizers amounting to 583,978 tons.

"Pupuk Indonesia implements 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 early so that the success of this early planting season can be harvested together during the April harvest," concluded Wono Budi Tjahyono.